It has been a minute since I have written a new blog post. If you follow me on social media, you know my daily posts are mini blogs so finding time to sit down and write something longer has been a bit more challenging lately. I felt compelled to write a new blog as it has been a week filled with change and reminders of how important it is to protect our kids as much as we can.
Earlier this week, my daughter passed her driver’s license test and it was one of the most stressful, heartwarming days that I will forever remember. Without getting into too much detail, over the last few years, she has suffered from anxiety issues that have held her back in so many ways. She has done amazing at overcoming and learning to cope but when high stress situations come into play, she is always put to the test all over again.
With this test looming, we knew she was ready and so did her instructor. I was amazed at how well she handled herself and prepared myself that no matter what happened, I was so proud of her for showing up and doing it. I will never forgot the moment she came over and smiled and hugged me to tell me she passed. A celebration of a milestone on so many levels.
It didn’t take more than an hour for her to set out on her own to a friend’s house and, of course, the worry and fear to set in for me. I remember this feeling with my son so it was not new territory to me but it doesn’t get any easier. She is doing amazing and is not a risky kid so that also helps my mama heart.
As we navigated through this change all week, we were met with a fresh fear Friday morning. Her high school had been vandalized with a threat of a school shooting. While in normal times, most of us would probably take it for what it is, kids being stupid, but in today’s world, it stopped all of us moms in our tracks. With so little information to go on, we had to decide if we would send our kids to school or not.
In the end, I opted to keep her home until we had more information. I also didn’t want school to become a place of fear that would trigger anxiety daily. Fortunately, it did not turn out to be a credible threat or the increased police presence was able to thwart it but it was such a reminder that it doesn’t matter what age our kids are, our first instinct is always to protect them at all costs.
It’s such a reminder that this world is so broken in so many ways. I hate that I have to worry about this with every other mom in America but I also know that each of us has to make the decision we feel is best for our individual kids. I pray that these kids who are struggling to the point of even writing such messages can seek the help they need but I also know that every time she arrives home safely now, I will breathe a sigh of relief.
I am a very optimistic, positive person in so many ways and I do truly place these situations in God’s hands but sometimes these reminders of just how precious life is get to me. Hug your babies (no matter how old they are) a little tighter and treasure every single moment. Have a blessed weekend!