We say CJ is the easiest of our children because he is the most independent of them all. He gets his own snacks, engages in self directed tasks, and wipes his own butt. In a house with a toddler and special needs child those three things are HUGE!

His heart is pure and he is honest to a fault. He can read cues and knows when we are mad or are having a bad day. When the littles go to sleep and I need some down time, he comes to sit with me and gives me all the snuggles I want. He’s is a low key mamas boy and I love every second of our time together. Even when he is talking about things that I know nothing about I appreciate the fact that he wants to spend time with me.

With all of Ella’s medical needs and Jack’s devilish ways, we sometimes take CJ’s independence for granted. Most things he takes in stride, openly sharing his day. Sometimes breaking the events down minute by minute. You know when he’s upset or happy because his face mirrors his emotions. He doesn’t like for us to see him upset.

Two days ago when I got CJ off the bus I knew almost instantly something was wrong. My first question is always, “how is your day?” He said okay and we moved on. If you know anything about CJ it’s that he hates when you pry. I let it go until he was ready to share.

Before we even got to the house, CJ told me there was in incident at school with another boy. After hearing what happened my blood was boiling. I know there are mean kids at school and I know that everyone isn’t always going to be as kind and compassionate as CJ, but he’s eight. I wanted things to stay the way they were just a little bit longer.

I’m not worried about CJ when it comes to standing up for himself! He knows right from wrong and we have talked about appropriate ways to act and react. I’m sad that he was upset and had to experience what he did. I taught for fourteen years and have seen first hand how mean kids can be. I get it. It’s out there.

That being said, this mama bear made sure there was a call to administration (papa bear made this one) and it was known how we felt about the way the situation was handled. I believe a clear line of communication is best. I was glad we got a call back, same day, after school hours because no one in that building wanted an early morning visit from me.

I wish we had just a little more time of youthful innocence. These kids are growing up too fast!

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