The Fixinator!

I was recently having a conversation with one of my children. She was feeling a bit inadequate with her abilities in a class she is taking, and her response to me was, "Why can't you just fix it? You can fix anything!" Now, don't get me wrong. I was flattered that, in her eyes, I am still Super Mom, but it bothered me that she assumed I could fix EVERYTHING! That's a tall order, but that's what parents do, right? We fix things- broken toys, cuts and bruises, spilled drinks. We are referees to all things sibling rivalry. Champion of the defenseless on the playground. Defender from the Boogie Man and monsters under the bed. Able to leap loads of laundry in a single bound! The depth of our super powers are simply staggering! ;)

However, I am of the firm persuasion that it doesn't help children to have everything neatly and pleasantly packaged. I love my children immensely, and it pains me deeply when they are hurting. Yet, I know they need the opportunity to venture out from under my Super Mom wing and fail sometimes. Out of failure comes some of life's greatest lessons. Things like humility, unselfishness, common sense, self discipline, and determination. It was bittersweet leaving her bedside that night. I had to step off that pedestal and admit I couldn't fix it. I simply reminded her, "Do your best, because your best is always good enough for me!" I'm thinking about keeping the super hero costume though. It might be fun to wear at her wedding. LOL :D

Yours truly,
The Fixinator
AKA