Bad Notes for Good Little Boys

- by Christy Olivera (blogging at: http://christyunplugged.wordpress.com)

Don’t you hate when you’ve worked really hard on something and it goes unnoticed?  Created a new flowerbed, made a special meal, or lost 10 pounds… and nobody has the nerve to even notice? Disappointing!

Well, hard work going unnoticed happens at all ages.

When my son was in Kindergarten, he suddenly started coming home with bad marks on his daily note.  We talked, eyeball to eyeball of course.  He lost privileges… and I threatened him within an inch of his life, like any good mother would.

But, the negative marks continued for about a week with no change.

Friday finally brought us a breakthrough. After school, I picked up this beaming little boy.  He was dancing around… joy uncensored!  He was so excited that he burst out, telling me that his clip hadn’t moved all day!  He then told me that his teacher had sent a note that told how GOOD he was!  He quickly tore that note out of his backpack and shoved it into my hand.

“Read it Mom!”

I quickly glanced over the note and looked into those expectant, brown eyes.

It read….“Fundraiser money is due tomorrow!”

Do you laugh or cry?

His hard work… unnoticed at school.

Aren’t I guilty of not noticing too, sometimes?

So, what did I do? What else… I scooped up that little boy, squeezed him oh so tightly, and let my words wash all over him….all the while choking back a bit of a laugh and a tear.