Proud mom

Nothing is more satisfying than witnessing your child display qualities you have worked for years to instill in him. If you are like me, you remain in a constant state of frustration wondering if your child is actually learning disabled or you are the worst parent of all time. When I think about it rationally, I am not the worst parent of all time and my child is a well adjusted little man trying to exert as much autonomy as possible. In other words, he's totally normal.
Today, I experienced that aha moment that proves I might just be a decent parent after all.
My 14 year old, Benjamin, ran for student class president yesterday. He was running against three other kids in the rising 9th grade. Benjamin and another girl tied for first place, forcing the faculty to call a re-vote.
Ben came home yesterday very excited, but very anxious for today's new vote.
After hearing the news, my sweet husband came home with a huge tub of candy for Benjamin to pass out at school today in hopes to sway voters.
I don't know about you, but I would have taken the candy and did my best to bribe my way into office.
Not Benjamin. Nope, not my little Mensch. While he was thrilled that his father would go to all that trouble after work to bring home a HUGE tub of candy, his conscience won out.
He expressed to me that he felt it would be a "slight" on his opponent, and possibly not be fair to her.
"What if she has nothing to pass out, mom?" says Benjamin with the utmost concern and sincerity.
I did my best to explain...that's politics son!! Benjamin declared, "well, I am not a politician!"
This may be true. He may not be a politician, but for today he is the poster child of fairness, equality and ultimately, KINDNESS.
I kissed him and expressed my utmost pride in his quality of human kindness.
Today, I feel like a good mom.