Are You Fluent In Man?

Recently, my 12-year-old son was busy doing something or the other and it appeared that he needed some help. So, being the spectacular, Blissfully Domestic Diva that I am, I did just what you would’ve done: jump into the nearest phone booth, whip out your red cape and yell “Mommy to the rescue!” {Perhaps, that part’s just me} I was all set to swoop in like Super Mom and handle any situation, conquer any foe and even slay a naysayer, especially the one that calls itself “I can’t.”

There I was. Hand on hip with my cape flapping majestically in the background. {This part’s definitely all me} I leaned in for the kill. “Honey, are you having a problem,” I asked nonchalantly. “Well…” he began, “I may need help but I want it from someone who…” he paused. “Who what,” I asked. “Well, who speaks Man?”

You know that sound Scooby Doo makes when he doesn’t have a clue about anything? Ruh? Yes, that was me. My first instinct was to laugh but I thought I should give the boy a chance to explain and here’s what he said in a nutshell.

Speaking man meant that instead of throwing out suggestions or swooping in to rescue him that I’d just sit back and let him work through his own problem, allow him to find the solution at his own pace and NOT be such a Mommy. In other words, spectacular, Blissfully Domestic Diva with the cape needed to be less hands-on and more eyes-only.

Here’s the moral of the story: As mothers, it’s easy for us to want to rescue our young ones from the troubles, hurts or stress-like situations they encounter in life. But just like my 12-year-old reminded me, sometimes we’ve got to let go just enough for them to discover their own identities and personalities.

Sometimes, we’ve got to stop and “speak a little Man.”

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