I was both surprised and proud when my friend told me how my son stood up for her son at the pool the other day. I often wonder if my children see they are worth standing up for, that they have a powerful voice, and if I’m encouraging them enough. That day my son saw value in his friends hard work that this girl ruined, and spoke up for him. My son was fearless. He was thoughtful. He was being a good friend.

It really opened my eyes at how powerful the voice of parents are to our children. Children are what we tell them they are. With Peter and my voices silenced and dismissed at such young ages, this was powerful for our healing journey. This is the fruit of our labor. This is the reflection of how our child sees himself and other people. Worth standing up for. His voice matters and it’s not because we told him once. It’s because he is included in conversation and we value his opinion on things.

Being a once jaded mom and having to learn to speak softly and with words that bring healing and confidence to my children I am thankful see my child with out a doubt did the right thing. He didn’t second guess. He didn’t lash out. He simply said “That is not ok and you need to be kind and say sorry.”

This is my hope for all children. The ones who aren’t stood up for will some day learn they too matter. The children who are standing up with confidence that it never runs dry.