Proud Parent

Random Purple orchid

One of my stretch goals as a parent (see what I did there - added noxious business jargon to this blog) is for my kids to be other focused.  Not at the expense of their own well-being (of course).  But there is a great deal of narcissism and selfishness in American culture (look no further than the worship of youth or money).

I dropped my daughter off at school the other day.  We stood outside her classroom waiting for her teacher to arrive.  As we're standing there, her friend shows me her shoes, slightly turning her ankle.  I'm relatively clueless about what's going on.

My daughter says "Mom, don't you recognize her shoes? They're my old shoes.  I gave them to S.  I didn't fit them any more."  I looked back and forth between my daughter and her smiling friend.  "Won't your Mom get upset?"  I asked S.  "No" she stated in a matter of fact manner.  She said her mom wouldn't notice.

You know that scene in the Grinch where his heart swells two sizes too big? That was me.  I admit to being a bit annoyed that my daughter didn't check with me first.  But I was so proud that my daughter recognized a need, realized she had more than she needed and gave unassumingly.  It's pretty amazing for a seven year old.