Comments on: Parenting With a Heavy Heart

By: Dine and Dish » Hugs for Comfort (Recipe: Broccoli and Chicken Noodle Soup)

Dine and Dish » Hugs for Comfort (Recipe: Broccoli and Chicken Noodle Soup) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 03:02:24 +0000

[...] know I have mentioned this before, but my seven year old is a great kid. He is extremely well behaved at school, he is a nice friend, [...]

By: mamabella

mamabella — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:48:39 +0000

I, too, sit here with a heavy heart after a night of holding my 8-year-old son while he cried. He is lonely on the playground due to his not being able to get his morning work done, he has to stay inside until he finishes it. By the time he goes out, everyone is paired up and playing. He is in his own child with his own ideas and thoughts about things and is content to entertain himself; however, he is heartbroken at being alone all of the time. He plays basketball and baseball. He is an only child – much to my heartbreak. When I ask if he wants to have someone over, he normally just shrugs. He is a one-friend kind of kid and if that friend is out or playing with someone else he is lost. I am glad to see that I am not the only one whose heart breaks at the loneliness of their child.

By: Easier Than Falling Off a Log » Garlic-Shrimp Pasta

Easier Than Falling Off a Log » Garlic-Shrimp Pasta — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:26:09 +0000

[...] recipe is from Dine and Dish, which I love, obviously. I eighthed the recipe since it was only for me and not for a whole big [...]

By: Dine and Dish » A Gift for Every Mom on the Block (and Pie Crust Cookies)

Dine and Dish » A Gift for Every Mom on the Block (and Pie Crust Cookies) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:01:24 +0000

[...] and Donuts…and Graham Crackers stopped by my blog and commented on my post about Jacob, Parenting With a Heavy Heart. That day, I took a look at her blog and was intrigued by a parenting book she had reviewed on her [...]

By: Ashley

Ashley — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:26:24 +0000

Hi. I just found this post while randomly wandering through food blogs, and felt I had to comment. Your description of Jacob’s experiences in elementary school sounds exactly like what I was like as a kid. I didn’t talk much, got picked on by some of the kids on the playground, cried because I didn’t fit in, and even had one of the teachers ask if I had “problems at home” because I was so quiet. But once I hit middleschool I started getting exposed to a wider pool of people, and started making friends. By highschool I had a pretty steady (albeit quiet) social life, and was perfectly happy on that front. And from what I hear, that’s pretty typical of the kids that are a little strange (strange in that awesome, geeky way I mean . So, hard as it is, it will almost certainly get better for him as he grows up.

By: AnneMarieZ

AnneMarieZ — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:41:11 +0000

I completely understand. My oldest, 8, is a great kiddo and at the end of 2nd grade I found out she was walking around the playground crying!!! ugh! my heart broke.. why?? why was she so sad and being by herself?? it was all due to one little girl who bullied.. she still considers this little girl a friend.. boy. talk about turning the other cheek.. it killed me…
she will learn… the hard way I am afraid… so sorry to hear your boy is so sad.. I will pray for him too.

AnneMarieZs last blog post..Tips For An Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life

By: Kristen

Kristen — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:32:37 +0000

I know exactly what you are feeling. My son is the same way. He is now in 5th grade, but he still struggles. Luckily he goes to a small Catholic school and the children are pretty open minded. He does not have a real friend in his class. I want so much to fix it for him, but I cannot. The principal, a nun, is very good with him. She builds him up and he loves her. All the kids respect her.

I just spoke to her last week about this (again). She has assured me that he will be fine and that some people just struggle with these things and they find their way. Hopefully it builds character, keep the conversation going. That is the best way for him to get into the habit of talking about it and keep your eyes open for depression.

Best of Luck!
Kristen

Kristens last blog post..Herbed POPCORN

By: Jill@SimpleDailyRecipes.com

Jill@SimpleDailyRecipes.com — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:04:40 +0000

Have you considered home education?

I’m not suggesting you remove him from the world. That’s not the point of home education.

In the words of our fine new President, “yes, you can change” his environment and surround him with like minded children. There are THOUSANDS of home educated families out there raising awesome citizens like your Jacob.

Home education nurtures the child’s desires to explore our world, grow real & lasting friendships, and learn to become a true, self educated, self motivated leaders.

No one and nothing grows when left in the dark. Don’t depend on a system to truly educate Jacob. Drop kick the static & noise.

God gave Jacob an awesome Mom & Dad to rear him. Step up and step out. Give Jacob the opportunities to grow with the gifts to which God has blessed him. Give him the life that fine tunes his mind & heart to be the servant leader he was born to be.

Pray, ask God Himself, what way Jacob should go. God has BIG plans for him, and HE needs your parenting to get him there.

Written with all my heart,
Jill

p.s. I won’t debate pros & cons.

The truth is the truth, regardless of who believes.

By: Kickball » Parenting With a Heavy Heart

Kickball » Parenting With a Heavy Heart — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 07:23:23 +0000

[...] Parenting With a Heavy HeartI tried to get more out of him… he named a few names and indicated that part of it was because he isn’t any good at kickball, which is apparently has taken over tag, which was the popular thing to play at the beginning of the school … [...]

By: ingrid

ingrid — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:13:10 +0000

Hi,
So many before me have left thoughtful and insightful suggestions I won’t reiterate any of them. I did though want to take a moment to tell you that I hope it works out for your sweet and loving little boy. I’m certain with the great mama bear he has in his corner all will be well.

Take care.
~ingrid

ingrids last blog post..Twins………again!

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:08:52 +0000

I want to cry for you.

By: Laura Harvey

Laura Harvey — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:53:49 +0000

Whats everyone doing for safety precautions for Halloween? My husband came across an article (http://i-newswire.com/pr220892.html) with some info about background checking neighbors. I thought that may be a little overboard, but it had some other good suggestions for some precautions I haven’t thought about. Last year my youngest son came down with a massive fever after Halloween. I almost thought about just taking the kids to our church’s fall festival this year instead of door-to-door to prevent that from happening again. I don’t know yet. What’s your advice? Am I over-reacting or just being a concerned mom?

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:07:40 +0000

My heart goes out to you and Jacob. Children are such a blessing but along with that blessing comes great vulnerability. Hang in there and be his advocate. Things change quickly and hopefully those changes will be for the better. Lisas last blog post..Halloween Vampire Bat Cake

By: dallimomma

dallimomma — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:51:32 +0000

Your post brought back so many memories for me of when my son (now 25) was in elementary school. He would come home every day and sit at the table with his cookies and milk and cry “I just want someone to be my friend. I just want one day where people don’t run away when I come in the room.” So I do feel your pain. We chose to homeschool for a few years because of some educational needs that were not being met but also to give him and his classmates some time to grow a little. Huge improvement when he entered 7th grade. He is now in college part-time, has a girlfriend, a full time job and feels very confident in who he is. He has good relationships with some close friends and his siblings. He will never be the social butterfly that some people are, but he’s happy, healthy and able to be successful in the adult world. I hope that encourages you even now.

By: Jeff's mom

Jeff's mom — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:11:31 +0000

I just stumbled upon your blog from another site, and your post just hit home. My son, (who is now 19) was painfully shy and was bullied at school too. My heart just breaks for these kids that other kids seem to like to target. My son is a gentle, kind and considerate young man and I know your son will be the same. Hang in there…I hope things improve for your sweet boy. Hugs from a mom who’s been there.

By: Dawn @ My Tasty Space

Dawn @ My Tasty Space — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:10:28 +0000

The social aspect of school, and how so many kids get left in the corner because of one reason or another, just breaks my heart too. It’s just one of many reasons that we chose to home school. It’s so hard to not want to go beat up some 5 yr old somewhere! I hope your little boy finds some friends. Btw – the recipe looks YUM!

Dawn @ My Tasty Spaces last blog post..More linky love

By: missy

missy — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:56:01 +0000

I had the exact same feelings when my daughter was in kindergarten and 1st grade. I couldn’t understand why kids didn’t want to play with my wonderful, sensitive, nice girl. (she is now in middle school and that’s a whole other beast). It did pass. She did start playing with kids on the playground. It’s a hard transition from daycare or preschool or being home with mom. IT WILL GET BETTER!! Yes, kids are MEAN sometimes. It does break our hearts as mothers when we cannot alway be there to protect them. Hang in there!~

By: Sandy S

Sandy S — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:31:21 +0000

Contrary to popular belief, a mother’s worst pain isn’t labor – it’s the hurts experienced by her children. You have a boy who will in all likelihood make a great husband and father someday, Kristen. You just keep reminding him that if other kids treat him badly, it says more about who they are than who he is. Hugs to you both!

Sandy Ss last blog post..Meyer Lemons in Season, in October, in New York! (Part 1)

By: Jennifer Mullinax

Jennifer Mullinax — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:02:12 +0000

I wish I knew how to whip it all away for you both. But please know I'm thinking of you and hope that your little man finds his way at school. He is a sweet, thoughful, loving boy and those are traits that will carry him far in this world!! ~Jen Jennifer Mullinaxs last blog post..Sweet Angel....

By: Hot Garlic

Hot Garlic — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:37:04 +0000

Kristin you are doing such a FANTASTIC job as a mother, so much so that it almost seems trite to try to give you advice about this, however, I couldn’t help but see so much of myself in your little boy!

I was lonely, a loner, shy, embarrassed, and completely unsure of myself as a kid. Again, I was completely different at home. I hated school {not like crazy longer style in a black cape, but you know what I mean!}. I didn’t feel like the other kids gave me the freedom to be who I really was inside.

You start school and immediately you are labeled and put into a box that you can’t escape until you are older and leave for college.

School days were INCREDIBLY difficult for me. But I grew so much as a person through those difficult times. I knew who I REALLY and TRULY was because I only had myself, my family, and my Lord to lean on. Others leaned on their friends and let the pettiness and bitchiness develop their shallow characters. I’m serious. I look back now on how much I was tried and tested, and I’m so grateful for those hard times that allowed me to be who I am as an adult. I almost hope my kids go through it, though it would make me so sad to think of them feeling like I did as a kid, the way your sweet son does.

I’m sorry, I know how difficult it must be to watch! I spent many an afternoon curled up in my mother’s lap bawling my eyes out.

But these days I have CONFIDENCE. I know I’m pretty, smart, funny. And I don’t ever have to revert back to the time when I let other people make me feel like I wasn’t those things. And I really feel it was only through the really difficult times that I built enough character to feel this way.

Keep up the good work, you always have the most permanent subjects on here and I love it!

Hot Garlics last blog post..Aye Yai Yai