Your writing always touches a nerve that needs to be tickled more often in society. I see so much of humanity in this article, for example, and hear a message that can cure a thousand illnesses in the same.
You are a great dad. Truly. The fact that you are this reflective, this present, this emotionally aware already says so much.
Your son may not remember every lecture or every worried text about Monster drinks 😭 but he will remember that you were his safe place. That you cared. That you paid attention. That you stayed emotionally available while he figured himself out.
And honestly? The fact that his friend responded with compassion and concern tells me your son is surrounded by better people than your anxiety sometimes lets you believe. Kids who know how to say “Are you okay?” don’t usually appear out of nowhere.
As long as your son feels safe, loved, protected, and knows you are his safety net, he is going to be okay. More than okay. He already sounds thoughtful, creative, emotionally deep, and kind — alot like his dad.
Also…parks, blurry photos, questionable decisions, first heartbreaks, bad lyrics written at 2 AM…unfortunately that sounds suspiciously like normal teenage humanity. 😭
Thank you Hagar, you’ve reaffirmed everything the little voice in my head has been telling me whilst being drowned out by worry. I especially love that his friend said such wonderful things in response to his poem. Thank you again 😊
You sound like a pretty grounded dad. It's a normal worry, and probably unfounded. You're doing ok. Love, Virg
Thank you ☺️
Your writing always touches a nerve that needs to be tickled more often in society. I see so much of humanity in this article, for example, and hear a message that can cure a thousand illnesses in the same.
Thank you John, what a lovely message!
Sounds like a very American rite of passage. Maybe be worried 😉 Nah, I'm kidding.
😆
You are a great dad. Truly. The fact that you are this reflective, this present, this emotionally aware already says so much.
Your son may not remember every lecture or every worried text about Monster drinks 😭 but he will remember that you were his safe place. That you cared. That you paid attention. That you stayed emotionally available while he figured himself out.
And honestly? The fact that his friend responded with compassion and concern tells me your son is surrounded by better people than your anxiety sometimes lets you believe. Kids who know how to say “Are you okay?” don’t usually appear out of nowhere.
As long as your son feels safe, loved, protected, and knows you are his safety net, he is going to be okay. More than okay. He already sounds thoughtful, creative, emotionally deep, and kind — alot like his dad.
Also…parks, blurry photos, questionable decisions, first heartbreaks, bad lyrics written at 2 AM…unfortunately that sounds suspiciously like normal teenage humanity. 😭
Thank you Hagar, you’ve reaffirmed everything the little voice in my head has been telling me whilst being drowned out by worry. I especially love that his friend said such wonderful things in response to his poem. Thank you again 😊