Andy and I did what all good parents do and told our sweet eleven year old that he couldn't possibly make such a thing. He expressed ideas involving clay and paint with bright eyed wonder and merriment. Again we tried to dissuade him, I even texted his teacher asking if there was another way...it got ugly and tears were shed. Mrs. Aldridge, the true hero of this tale, sent me a web address with instructions how to create a paper mache mask. She told me, and I quote, "Daniel is going to make the BEST project!" Reluctantly and with little to no gusto, I jumped on board reminding Daniel that this will have to be all his work cause Mama has zero artistic ability. I can't cut a straight line...never could! Just ask my mother! But Danny Mac and I put our heads together, followed the instructions exactly and created a big balloon covered ball. Then I sent it with him to school for he and Mrs. Aldridge to finish. DONE...right?
There just wasn't enough time in the school day to complete the project so the balloon head came home like a boomerang. Internally I panicked while Andy bought paint and Daniel went to work. He painted a face on that balloon head. Then he painted a box grey and added black lines to look like a stone wall for effect. He painted another box grey and cut out yellow buttons for the front of that box, slapped the face painted balloon head on top and BOOM! Stoic Stonewall in the flesh (well, sorta). Honestly, it's amazing. While I'm super proud of Danny Mac and his crazy fifth grade artsy skillz I feel I have a lot to learn.
Looking back at the ordeal in it's entirety I can't allow myself to overlook my parenting fail. Actually, I may have even failed at just being a good human. As I analyze, I realize my hesitation wasn't due to my fear that Daniel wouldn't accomplish his goal of completed project and pride in his accomplishment. My reluctance was that I couldn't help him do it perfectly. I'm a perfectionist. It's not a terrible thing until it's a terrible thing. I'm thankful that after 18 years at this parenting gig they teach me so much more than I could possibly teach them. I can't help how precisely I see life. My attention to detail helps me do the jobs God has given me to accomplish. This quality becomes a curse when I try and apply it to others and especially in this case when I tried to require perfection in a 5th grade school project for my youngest child.
Happy Mother's Day guys...thanks for your patience as I continue to learn what it means to be your mama.
Presenting to younger students
He still loves me and lets me be his proud Mama
Talking Stonewall with Superintendent Raines
