Robyn and Jgnat,
Thanks for the advice. There are days when I despair of my (and his!) survival but every so often I get a glimmer of the sweet natured child lurking in the snotty stranger. Today was one of those days. We spent it at the doctor's office, waiting to find out if my son had actually broken his toe or if the damage was less severe. Fortunately, it seems to be not a fracture, but an injury that will have him hobbling for a week or two. The really good news is that, away from his sister (his arch enemy/best friend lol) and his friends, he was sooo incredibly sweet and funny, he kept me entertained through the long hours that would otherwise have been horribly boring. The pubescent lad rarely showed through today. We talked, we laughed, we teased each other and I was sitting there the entire time thinking what a gift I was receiving.
Because of your post, Robyn, I talked to him about his mood swings (it wasn't the first time that we've discussed it but we were due for another) and how difficult life and emotions can sometimes be. I stressed to him how important he is to me and that no matter how hard and overwhelming things can sometimes seem, there is always light at the end of the tunnel if one is alive to see it. He knows that I am and always will be here for him and thank goodness he's used to me bringing up difficult and sometimes embarrassing subjects in our conversations, he didn't shut me out but really listened and talked to me. It was incredible. Best part of the day? Tonight, when he was going to bed, he TOLD me he wanted a hug (he always gets one but rarely if ever asks for it) and THEN whispered "I love you Mom" with the sweetest smile on his lips...the ghost of that cherubic little boy was hovering in his eyes and his smile. Today was a day I'll not soon forget My mother's heart melted with the love I have for this incredible person who I'm fortunate enough to call my son.
Thank you.
Dana