The Cool Mom {Nurturing My Relationship with My Son}

As a first-time mother, there were so many questions I had to ask myself. Am I healthy enough to be a mother? What am I doing wrong? Am I the helicopter mom? Could I be a PTA mom? Am I the cool mom? Of course, I am the cool mom. At least that is what I tell myself.

My son will be off to middle school in September. I’m hoping our relationship will grow stronger. And all the tough, embarrassing questions he has will be addressed because I have laid that foundation for him to feel comfortable to ask me the uncomfortable questions, even if we are not the same gender.

A child should have an adult they can trust and that will protect them as well as give them guidance along their bumpy journey. “Hey, Siri,” should not be a child’s reference guide to life lessons. We need to learn to deal with our emotions and communicate effectively. This healthy relationship between me and my son will help him with work and future relationships.

I try to make sure his friends are happy and have healthy friendships with my son by teaching boundaries and respect. I love hearing, “It’s Blake’s mom!” and his friends asking me to sit with them during lunch when I volunteer at school. Kids grow up so quickly. All we can do is teach, fail, learn, and move forward to do better.

At times I question myself as a mother, as most of us will do as mothers. And my doubts are always diminished when I get into an argument with my son, and he turns around, walks away, and tells me that he still loves me even though I’m mad at him. I’m always happy to hear my son tell me that he loves me even though he’s upset with me. It’s at that moment I realize that I am the cool mom. Again, at least that’s what I tell myself.