Worries and Tears

This happened a few days ago, and it's less a conversation that some thoughts from Mom - bear with me....

Finn brought home from school an order form for Scholastic Books. He was very excited to order a new book and had chosen one - but I suggested we maybe look through it and make sure that it was the one he most wanted.

We looked, and found a 3 pack of Ricky Ricotta and His Mighty Robot books - new favorites. Finn selected those, and I said we could even look through for one more perhaps.

Mom: Now, I'm gonna put a star right here by Ricky Ricotta so we know we want that one.

A few minutes pass. Finn begins weeping.

Mom: What's wrong?

Finn: I'm worried! I'm just so worried!

Mom: About what?

Finn: That Mrs. Mulder won't see the star, she won't know I want Ricky Ricotta! much wailing and crying ensues.

Mom: Okay, let's go through this - this is the order form, see? And I am checking the box that says Ricky Ricotta - so Mrs. Mulder will know this is the one we want. And we might check one more box. And then we'll cut along this dotted line, and we'll put it in an envelope with a check, and we'll put that in your homework folder like we always do, and Mrs. Mulder will get it. Okay?

Finn: Noooooooo!!!! more crying ensues.

I can't recall the exact conversation, but the worries included:

- Mrs. Mulder won't know that's the book I want!

- Mrs. Mulder will lose the book when it comes to the school and not remember I want that book!

- What if someone else wants that book??
and I explain that there are many copies of that book, not just one - so I'm sure there will be one for him.

- But what if there's not one for me?

and more worries I cannot recall right now, all accompanied by growing sobs. Finally, I surrender to his tears, and we get on the couch, and I hold him on my lap while he cries and cries and cries and cries. For the first few minutes, I try to ask what's wrong and address each worry - then I finally ask the right question:

Mom: Do you just need to cry, honey?

Finn: Yeah! I just need to cry!!!!!

And he does. And I hold him. Until he's done.

Sometimes we just need to cry, don't we?