I loved this piece. My kids are much younger so the territory she writes of is like a distant planet. But I appreciated the view into her life and the way she knew when to stand side-by-side and when to fade into the background without resentment, showing love and respect for her boys.
As the mother of two sons, I feel the backstep coming. It's imminent, actually, and this writer captured the mother's task - of being brave enough to recognize it and strong enough to take the step - so well. I have been mourning the closeness I felt to my children when they were younger, but this essay paints the growing space in a new light. Well done.
This was a 3-tissue piece. Robin, your clarity and awareness of both yourself and your son is awe-inspiring.I remember so manymoments like that with my now 30-year old son. Being able to step back, while still being there when needed, is IMHO the greatest gift a mother can give a son.
I agree - a 3-tissue piece! Nicely done, Robin. I'm the mother of a son and a daughter, so far away from a coming of age ceremony, but I know it will sneak up on me. I'm also a DRE at a UU church, and reading a parent's perspective of the experience of that ceremony was quite meaningful to me. Thank you!
My son just turned 18 and I've so loved watching him step up and up and up. Seems harder for me with the girls, somehow (16 and 13). Today I sat down next to my "baby" and she said, "Don't touch me, mom. I don't like to be touched when I'm sick." Not sure why that broke my heart when I'm completely unphased by, "You're the worst mom in the world". Maybe we just expect the oldest to be the oldest...
This doctor should quit her day job and write!!! Very touching, and the attention to detail makes this article one I didn't want to finish. As the mom of 2 teen boys I could relate to her son's swagger-way-of-walking, and how the chefs talked to him man-to-man as the author stepped BACK. It's so nice to know we are not alone in feeling a tilt to our world as the boys morph into men as we watch from our new vantage point.
Although my son is only 8 (we're side by side now) I am hyper aware of this imminent backstepping. This piece felt very personal to me and, surprisingly, not that far off. I see my son in your descriptions and it helps me weather my own maternal growing pains. Thanks so much.
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This piece hit me so deeply. You can so clearly feel the pride she feels for her son. Very moving!
Loved this piece. Cried and laughed, and felt more hopeful about the future with my boys, who are now 5 and 3.
Once again, Robin, I am in awe of your writing, your wit, your talent and your deep insight. Pam
I loved this piece. My kids are much younger so the territory she writes of is like a distant planet. But I appreciated the view into her life and the way she knew when to stand side-by-side and when to fade into the background without resentment, showing love and respect for her boys.
As the mother of two sons, I feel the backstep coming. It's imminent, actually, and this writer captured the mother's task - of being brave enough to recognize it and strong enough to take the step - so well. I have been mourning the closeness I felt to my children when they were younger, but this essay paints the growing space in a new light. Well done.
This was a 3-tissue piece.
Robin, your clarity and awareness of both yourself and your son is awe-inspiring.I remember so manymoments like that with my now 30-year old son. Being able to step back, while still being there when needed, is IMHO the greatest gift a mother can give a son.
I agree - a 3-tissue piece! Nicely done, Robin. I'm the mother of a son and a daughter, so far away from a coming of age ceremony, but I know it will sneak up on me. I'm also a DRE at a UU church, and reading a parent's perspective of the experience of that ceremony was quite meaningful to me. Thank you!
Robin, you nailed it. thank you.
Lorna
As the mother of three teenaged girls it really depressed me that you referred to an eighth grade girl as a "trollop." Not cool.
amazing, enlightening, heartfelt,true...
Mom of three, 1 almost back stepping, and 2 still standing beside...
My son just turned 18 and I've so loved watching him step up and up and up. Seems harder for me with the girls, somehow (16 and 13). Today I sat down next to my "baby" and she said, "Don't touch me, mom. I don't like to be touched when I'm sick."
Not sure why that broke my heart when I'm completely unphased by, "You're the worst mom in the world". Maybe we just expect the oldest to be the oldest...
This doctor should quit her day job and write!!! Very touching, and the attention to detail makes this article one I didn't want to finish. As the mom of 2 teen boys I could relate to her son's swagger-way-of-walking, and how the chefs talked to him man-to-man as the author stepped BACK. It's so nice to know we are not alone in feeling a tilt to our world as the boys morph into men as we watch from our new vantage point.
thanks you friends good.
Although my son is only 8 (we're side by side now) I am hyper aware of this imminent backstepping. This piece felt very personal to me and, surprisingly, not that far off. I see my son in your descriptions and it helps me weather my own maternal growing pains. Thanks so much.
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