As a child, I’ve always had to fend for myself in school, at home and very quickly I learned that I cannot really count on my parents to be my champion. My dad was never home and my mom was too busy with work or too tired after work to listen to whatever problems that I might be encountering in school or at home with my siblings. So with Chloe, I am extra careful – and making sure that she wasn’t alone or had to face problems on her own.
But on the other hand, I realized that I am raising a kid that needed help with everything and I’ve turned into a helicopter mom. Throwing the kid out in the open and letting her fend for herself also isn’t what I want to do but I also don’t want to raise my kid to be a wuss. If you remember correctly, Chloe was painfully shy in school and even when she was bullied in school, she refused to stand up for herself nor tell her teachers about it. And because of her earlier bad experienced with a little boy in her second school – I became a little more paranoid when it came to Chloe’s safety.
Yesterday, Chloe told me about a problem with her school mate – and that she had already spoken up about it with the teacher – so she had already taken care of the problem herself – I’m so proud of her – she is 8 years old this year. This morning, I asked her if she needed for me to speak with her teacher again about the same issue and she told me – ” no mom! I’ve already taken care of the problem” – my daughter is a stronger girl now ! after being in school for a few years and much, much encouragement on our side – she finally stood up for herself and don’t need me to hover over her – I’m a very proud mama! I’ve never doubted that Chloe would stand up for herself one day – I know that it will come when it come. But I also have to learn that my kid is stronger than I think she is and letting her make mistakes and fight for herself is alright.