The Boy

My husband and I often refer to our son as just The Boy. I don't know why. He has plenty of nicknames based both on his proper name and the names of NHL players (not that we have high expectations). For some reason, The Boy just seems to fit him right.

My son is...well...he is one of a kind. He has got to be one of the most self-assured humans on the entire planet. His self-assuredness causes him to do things like speak out in groups and take center stage that, frankly, make me want to crawl under tables. I'm proud of his self-confidence for sure, but still. Come on, Buddy. Give someone else a chance.

This weekend the kids and I attended a violin workshop at Centenary with our Suzuki Strings program. The whole experience was amazing. Each kid had a semi-private, small group and large group lesson with some of the best instructors in the country. We ended the weekend with an informal concert in which every kid, from the oldest to the youngest got to play together on stage.

It was inspirational.

But over and over again parents would make comments to me about my son. "He's so cute!" someone would say. "He's so funny!" another would add. "He's so smart! We just love him!" It went on and on.

And while I am extremely flattered and proud, inside I sort of have to shake my head. I want to ask them, "But doesn't he drive you crazy with his constant talking? Doesn't it drive you nuts that he asks a thousand questions?"

It's funny and a bit sad how sometimes as parents we see our kids' very best attributes as negatives. The very things that endear them to others drive us batty.

I'm trying very hard with my second child to accept him for who he is. I'll try to teach him to control himself, but I don't want to crush his spirit.

The Boy is a special kid, to be sure. He's sweet and kind and smart and happy and inquisitive. And if he asks me one more question tonight, I'm going to lose it!