I'm Okay With That

Sometimes as parents we just don't get the expected response...

I realize we just relocated our family a few short months ago. With that relocation, we uprooted our girls from the only life either one of them knows. They left behind familiar neighborhoods, good teachers, and most importantly FRIENDS.

The summer was hard. Our transition was difficult as very few people really reached out to us (specifically one person went out of her way and I love her for it) and I wasn't really in "reaching out" mode myself, so the girls social lives really suffered.

I have felt so much more settled since the girls have started school and made some friends. They are so much happier and we have actually had some friends come through our front door - what a welcome sight! The girls are comfortable in their classes, comfortable in church, and life isn't so much a stranger anymore.

After asking so much of them in recent months, and nearly cracking under the pressure myself because of my inability to endure their challenges for them, I have had some recent sleepless nights as I've anticipated what Leah's reaction might be upon learning that we would be asking her to do yet one more difficult thing. Another potential hurdle just as life was seeming to get easier.

Since the beginning of the school year I have agonized over Leah's classroom situation. From day one, I've waited for that good-vibe feeling to set in, but unfortunately it hasn't come. I wanted to give it some time. No rash decisions. Put emotions aside (like that's even possible for me). I believe in giving things a good ol' college try. So I tried it. Game over. Time for a change. Yikes!

So Jared and I sat Leah down last night and she kind of giggled when we told her we wanted to talk to her about school. I thought we'd start off by telling her we are proud of her, we love her and want what's best for her. Maybe explain that sometimes when something's not working right we have to make changes. Ease into it kind of thing. So I literally held my breath and clenched my jaw so tight I thought my teeth were going to crumble when Jared's first sentence was...drum roll please... "Your mom talked to the principal and we have decided that you are going to change classes and have a new teacher."

I waited for the meltdown. I waited for the anxiety-ridden questions to spill forth. I waited for the accusations of betrayal and poor parenting to hit with heart-wrenching force. My eyes were nearly popping out while I anxiously awaited her response.

Instead...

"Okay. I'm okay with that." (smile)

Oh.

Oh, okay. (Reinsert eyes back into sockets).

Then came the nonchalant, afterthought of a question: "Now why do you want me to change classes?"

"Because we want to see if you like another teacher better."

Again, "Okay."

Oh yeah, "Do you know who my new teacher is going to be?"

Turns out, her biggest concern was wondering what she should do with all the stuff in her desk.

Sometimes the direct approach is definitely worth a try. And sometimes the Lord blesses us to make good decisions for our kids and to help the kids deal with those decisions. Sometimes as parents we don't get the expected response - in a good way. I'm okay with that. I'm okay with all of it, and I'm glad Leah is too. I love that kid.