Birthday Message

One more year is gone my dear. I want to tell you how proud I am to be your mother.

This year, you completed kindergarten with flying colors. You’re reading at the 1st grade level and completed all of the math levels available for kindergartners. You made friends and even got your first crush (Emma). Being in school is tough for you but you stick through it like a champ. You really don’t like all the “paperwork” and really, I don’t blame you. Your teacher, Mrs. Baksa had to call home once this year because you were consistently not completing your work. I felt bad for you because concentrating on something so boring is about the hardest thing you have to do. Everything else comes easy. It was simply amazing watching you learn to read. You beamed with pride every time you found a word that you could read and that list grew with lightning speed throughout the year. I’m so glad that reading comes easy for you. It will make the rest of your learning experiences more positive and fulfilling for you.

This year, you also got a couple new baby cousins. Since you’ve been “the baby” for more than five years, we worried how you would respond to a new baby. You made your mommy so proud as you showed love, concern, and genuine care for Miss Ellie Bellie. You love her truly, miss her when she’s gone, and show excitement when she’s coming over. You’re an awesome kid.

As your parents, our main challenge has been your fierce independence and quick temper. We have had to make many changes in our parenting style in order to maintain peace in our household. Your father has made the most changes as he is used to his style working so well with Emily and Dylan. But, boy does it not work with you. You require gentle guidance and suggestions, rather than commands. You respond with fire when you believe someone is “telling you what to do”. You require a full explanation as to why a particular action is necessary and if you accept the explanation, you will happily oblige. If you do not accept it...well...good luck to us.

Being a blended family has begun to settle very unwell with you. You argue vehemently that your brother and sister should always live with us because “that’s the way it’s supposed to be”. You have desperately tried to figure out where to direct your anger about this situation. At first, it was my fault, then your dad, then the kid’s mom. Someone “deserved” your anger and was going to get it. We’ve all tried our best to help you accept the situation as it is even though it sucks. Unfortunately, your brain doesn’t work that way and you continue to argue your point of view. It breaks my heart to see you struggle and know that this is life...there’s nothing I can do.

On a happy note, your 6th year will be starting off with a bang because tomorrow we are officially adopting our new dog, Chewy. He has stayed at our house for the last week and the whole family’s in love. In one short week, I’ve watched as you sacrificed for him and put him first. You have taken your responsibility as “his boy” seriously and I hope he’s everything you need in a friend at home.

Happy 6th Birthday, my super hero

Love, Momma