If we saw ourselves through their eyes...

Would it change how we see ourselves and what we think we are capable of? I just had an interesting moment. We were watching "The Voice" and there was a girl talking about the outfits and style of the musicians. My Ethan piped up and said "you should do that, Mom. You would be awesome. You could show a few of your outfits and blow all of their minds away." I smiled and thanked him, and was tickled down to the tips of my toes, but there was a part of me that wanted to inject some realism into the moment by explaining that I love playing with fashion, but that's a far cry from being truly skilled in a professional sort of way. I didn't do it, and just let the sweet moment be what it was. But the thought lingers, what if we actually could see ourselves through the eyes of those who love us most, particularly those innocent little eyes that aren't jaded by "reality"? I suspect at the very least, we might be more confident, but maybe we would even be inspired to take risks on the things that make our hearts sing... In not so very many years, Ethan will see me through more realistic eyes, but nothing can take the moment away from me when he genuinely and honestly thought I was the best of the best. Reality raises its pragmatic head to assure me that of course I'm not, but love says that I COULD be.

10 years ago

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I loved this and it brought back a wonderful memory of the day my now almost 20yr old was 16 and said to me that his future wife was going to love me because I am so kind to everyone. You see he had started driving me places and saw my interactions with a cashier who'd been mistreated by a customer and how I built her back up and so many other little things I never realized I was doing. It stayed with me because it was a teenager saying it!

SarahTheWhite

I love that Tracey! That was the best compliment ever. Isn't it amazing how observant they can be?

rachylou

People, young and old, keep telling me I'm patient and have I ever considered being a teacher. Dd first said it to me. I have and I thought 'no,' lol. I'm more of a trainer and I know that.

But this reminds me, I do believe in a six month course of talk therapy for everyone - the kind where the shrink just repeats everything you say back to you. You quickly learn how boring you are and that you have no problems... Hahaha! And if you don't ... I don't know, I guess you're insane. Hahaha!

Tina

Thanks Sarah! Your son is precious. Out of the mouths of babes:-)
It is interesting how my son notices when I have had my hair done, he almost always comments in a good way.
We go about our days just being who we are and dressing as we do and we don't realize what our children observe and internalize about us. A sobering thought and also one that should give us a sense of purpose, even when we're 'just at home'.

Anonymous

That's what love is all about , isn't it? And how important it is to us. That's a lovely story.

abc

Aww, what a precious moment. I've had a couple like that, perhaps less direct since mine are only 4 and 3 years old, but I've had snippets where they make me feel like THE BEST insert word here - mom, cook, laundry-doer haha, etc.

I love the way you put the scenario to words. It was brilliant that you stopped yourself from sharing your own thoughts and allowed the moment to be what it was. THAT is the sign of a thoughtful person. Thanks for sharing STW, you never cease to amaze me.

Eliza

Well stated. So true that a fresh look can make all the difference.

And one need not have kids to see the world or ourselves through others eyes. It seems that women are frequently quite hard on themselves. Sometimes all we need to do to see who we are differently is ask ourselves: what would you say to a friend in this situation? What would your friends or colleagues say about your gifts?

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Your Ethan is a special boy who loves, admires and believes in his Mama - as he should!

Debbie

What a wonderful moment with your son!

Style Fan

What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing.

elpgal

Your Ethan is a gem and you are such a sensitive mama. Thanks for sharing.

Beth Ann

I'm so happy that you were able to soak in the unique and precious moment. Kids are more observant than adults in many ways. I wonder what fashion would be like if we let children like Ethan choose who gets to design and style the world?

anne

Sarah, so sweet. I am blessed to by told I am "the best Mum in the world" very frequently! (Also not true, of course!)

I remember, I think it was in a parenting course I did years ago, they told us a scenario where a child leapt into a room enthusing about how he was going to be a musician when he grew up and they talked about it was a much better response to go with the child's enthusiasm than do a more realistism tinged "do you know how hard it is to make a living as a musician" type response. So I think you did the right thing by letting him have that moment.

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