The Day I Forgot Jack’s Coat

A couple weeks ago, before the weather turned warm, Jack and I were doing our typical frantic rush off to school/work routine and I forgot his coat. I should say that WE forgot his coat, because neither of us grabbed it on the way out the door. But he’s 5, so I’ll take the blame for it this time.

It’s a 20 minute ride to school and when I go to unload Jack, I realize that there is no coat. It’s bright red, so it’s kind of hard to miss. However, I look all over the inside of the SUV as if the coat somehow balled itself up and shoved itself under a seat.

It’s cold. I mean, it’s not snowing or anything. But it is definitely cold enough that a kid needs his coat.

And here is where you can see what kind of mom I am.
I dropped him off at school without his coat.

Sure, I could have rearranged my entire morning so that I could drive back home for 20 minutes, drive 20 more minutes BACK to school to drop off the coat and then continue on my way to work.

I could do that.
Plenty of moms would have done that.
I mean, it’s my baby boy. I love him and want him to be warm and happy, right?

Just look at that adorable face!

I didn’t though. Because I think it is important for Jack to know that mommy has stuff to do. Mommy can’t drop everything because we forgot his coat. MOMMY is important too and her entire life doesn’t revolve around Jack and his needs.

So, Jack went to school without a coat. And I knew that they’d either give him a spare coat to wear or he’d just stay inside during outside play time.

And that’s okay too. Because maybe the next time we are running out of the house, Jack will be the one who grabs his coat.

Because as much as I love that cute little face, mommy has shit to do.

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2 thoughts on “The Day I Forgot Jack’s Coat”

  1. I LOVE THIS! Obviously kids younger need the extra help but I love that you want Jack to start being able to figure out things that need to be done and that he can take care of on his own. Rock on Mama!

  2. “…or he’d just stay inside during outside play time. And that’s okay too. Because maybe the next time we are running out of the house, Jack will be the one who grabs his coat.”

    That. Yes. I hope to be able to be this way with Hannah, too. I keep thinking that I wish I could do things for her, but then I remember – that’s not my job. Well, right now it is. But, as she gets older, my job is to HELP her. And to let her learn lessons. I think it’ll be harder for me than it is for her, and I’m sure I’ll be calling you up then, too. You’re doing great. 🙂

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