I NEARLY MESSED UP as a parent Wednesday morning.
“We had a pizza party in Mrs. Brown’s class yesterday,” my 16-year-old said as he pulled his backpack onto his shoulders.
“For what?” I asked.
“We won Toys for Tots,” he replied, explaining that his fourth hour prime time and trigonometry/pre-calculus class collected the most money to purchase Christmas gifts for needy children and was rewarded with pizza.
“Did you take anything?” I questioned, doubting that he participated since he hadn’t asked me for money.
“Fifteen dollars.”
That’s when I nearly said—but caught myself just in time—that $15 was “too much” to donate given my son isn’t currently working.
But, at the precise moment the “too much” phrase nearly tumbled out of my mouth, I realized the stupidity of what I was about to say.
Instead I praised his gift. “That was very generous. I’m proud of you.”
“Yeah,” he smiled, wrapped me in a tight hug and walked out the door.
© Copyright 2010 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Recent Comments