Hearing complaints about my husband isn't new. People being upset and vocal about my husband's choices don't phase me anymore.
But do you know who it does phase? His children.
Your words, true or not, are heard by little ears. Those little ears understand what you say. They understand your tone, your facial expressions, and your actions.
They take those words to heart.
As a parent, you know there is practice a few hours a day, and if there isn't, there's a game. What you don't know is every night, there is a little boy who helps Dad "study." That little boy is memorizing batting lineups, who wears what number, who plays what position, and who's starting the next game.
He tells everyone at preschool the team schedule, what color jersey they will be wearing, who wears a necklace, who's a lefty or a righty. He may not know his alphabet or how to write his name on his own, but he knows that team like the back of his hand.
What you also don't know is that his dad hasn't been able to take him to practice. He has only seen him up to bat once. He isn't able to attend to these things because he's with your son.
My boys and I are at a ball field at least five nights a week. I rush out of work to pick them up and speed down the highway to make it to games. I rush from the little league fields to Daddy's field to make sure we are there to cheer on your son.
You see, my son worships yours. He waits for the post-game talks to end so he can rush the field to high-five everyone and tell them what a great job they did- win or lose. To him, there is no one more perfect than a boy who plays for Daddy.
I have a lot to learn about being a sports mom. I've seen and heard things that have made me contemplate whether I want to subject my family and kids to this. Grown adults criticizing children.
But the good outweighs the bad. I've had so many wonderful parents take me under their wing over the years. They have shown me who I strive to be.
So, to the dad who wants my husband fired, thank you. Thank you for raising a kind, thoughtful, respectful, and caring boy. A boy who takes the time out of his day to give my boys a fist bump. A boy who takes the time to ask mine how his game was, notice his haircut, and everything in between.
So, while we may not agree on everything, and frankly, we never will, we can agree on one thing: Your son is amazing. Thank you for that.
My hope is that one day, my son will be like that, too.
My only request is that you teach him when and where to bring things up. Teach him that words are powerful, and you never know who is listening. I would hate for him or his future children to hear an adult like you make comments like that about his dad, his staff, or his heroes.