Tag: parenting

Meaning

“We need to talk.” Jason was tucking in when Jennifer entered, still in her work clothes. “What’s up?” He sat in rapt attention.

Sighing, she removed her hair band rubbing her stiff neck. “Joe’s a bit peaky.” She turned to him, worried. “Maybe we choose wrong?”

Jason smiled, gesturing her to sit. “He’s getting used to being independent. He’ll be fine.” She wasn’t convinced. “Should we get him something to help adjust?” Jason flashed a crude smile. “Like a quick zip? I’d love that.”

“Jason!” Jennifer exclaimed in horror. “I meant a zipper, Honey. It’s a stress buster, you know.”

Even odds

“I’m sorry, honey, this isn’t your game. Why don’t you play with your toys, instead?” Stroking his hair, Michael’s mother ushered him inside.

While his six brothers made the school football team, Michael sat in the stands. He couldn’t play because his parents thought him weak. As he sat, his eyes tearing, his ice cream melting, Julia sat beside him. “Why are you upset? If not football, try out for baseball.”

12 years later, Michael entered the pitch to thundering applause. He was no longer the outlier—the child with the bionic leg had proved his parents —and the world—wrong.

No regrets

They had appealed for months. With Jack travelling most of the year and his partner teaching at a nursery, it took all their pleading skills to convince the adoption agency.

They discussed it long enough, knowing a lot would change if a baby came. Jack even worried they’d be bad parents because they seldom had time for each other. Could they raise a child?

That’s the reason to adopt, they concluded. They had drifted from each other, and a child would complete the family.

Applauding at her graduation, Jack and Mark realised adopting her had been their most prudent choice.