When a mother sees her child ache, her heart aches, too.
My son LOVES playtime with friends. Daily, and sometimes repeatedly within a day, he asks to play with a friend. While I usually don't mind having friends play at our house, what I DO mind is the fact that Ben is rarely invited to anyone else's house to play.
I have a 3-call limit; if, after contacting 3 friends, there are no takers to our invitation, I'm done. It happens A LOT. I witness my son go from hopeful to tears on some days. "He's playing at so-and-so's house." "He's hanging out with so-and-so." "He's too tired." "He's playing with family - sorry." "She has other plans." There is one friend - one - who would probably have Ben over to play every day if she could. Other than this one little girl, I can't even remember the last time someone (a parent) called to invite Benjamin over to play. It never happens.
It concerns me. I know my son is not perfect but do other kids not like my son? Does he not play well with others? Why isn't he invited over? I don't know how to inquire without putting parents on the spot. I don't know how to ask without sounding like some overprotective worry-wart mom. Besides, is any mom really going to be honest with me and say if Ben is disliked?
But the truth is, I worry for Ben. With confessed and absolute bias, Benjamin Levi is my most beloved little man. He is sweet and can be terribly sensitive. Of course, I want him to be well-liked and accepted. No mother wants to think her child is otherwise.
So, what's a mom to do? When he asked me to tickle him, I did. When he suggested we play jacks, I said Yes. This is what I need to do - be there for my little guy. When he feels a void, it's my job, my privilege, my joy to fill it. And then we are both filled.
And the heartaches subside.
