This WILL Make You Smile #8

I try to keep the line between mother and friend drawn pretty clearly between me and my boys. I figure my kids will have enough friends in life, so, hard as it is, I try to be a consistent and firm parent. I let the boys know what the rules are and enforce consequences when consequences are needed. I don't want to get taken for a ride. And then another ride. And I definitely don't want to end up with some kind of hot mess on my hands.

Honestly, though, now that the big boys are all teenagers and getting more and more mature, it seems natural to share a little more of the real me with them. I think it's important for them to see me and Drew experience all the normal emotions, even if those emotions are doubt and worry.

Generally, I try to keep a lid on it. I try not to share my deepest concerns with them. I try not to share any frustrations I might have with Drew. We are very much a team. I try not to talk about their brothers' issues with them. I try to act like I've got things reasonably in check.

Anyway, last night, I was watching tv down in the basement with Will and Brant and just sort of ruminating about some disappointments and disappointing people.

Brant--ever positive, upbeat Brant, child of sunshine and moonbeams--suggested I was just thinking too much. That maybe I was just interpreting things wrongly.

Will suggested I look into Prozac.

"Alright, well, I don't need either of you to fix this stuff, but.....could you maybe say something to make me feel better?"

Will's eyes flickered. And then there came that grin.

"There's a dozen cake doughnuts upstairs."