After she was accused of ‘babying’ her eight-year-old son, this mum took to Facebook to share her disagreements with the way others expected her to raise her boys.
“Last Saturday, my eight-year-old son Max was playing in his school basketball game. Somewhere in the shuffle he was hit in the face with the ball,” wrote Jaime Primak Sullivan on Facebook.
“I saw his eyes widen and then squint from the pain - he looked around trying to focus. I knew he was looking for me.”
As any mother would do if their child was injured, Jaime ran to her son’s aid but was quickly criticised by onlookers.
“I instinctively jumped up from the bleachers. As soon as we connected, I got down on one knee. ‘Catch your breathe buddy.’ He tilted his head back. ‘Max, breath. It's OK.’ He finally took a breath, and I wrapped my arms around him as he cried into my shoulder.
“A voice came from behind me – ‘You need to stop babying that kid.’”
With those seven words, Jaime was left doubting herself and the way she responsed to her son, Max.
“My hands shaking. I was so angry. I fussed about it all the way home. My husband blew it off. ‘Who cares what they think?’”
Having had time to calm down and reassure herself that her son was OK, Jaime then realised the deeper issue with that comment.
“This notion that boys can never hurt, that they can never feel, is so damaging to them long-term.
“The belief that any signs or gestures of affection will somehow decrease their manhood - this pressure to always ‘man up’ follows them into adulthood, where they struggle to fully experience the broad scope of love and affection.”
And with one last shut-down for those who criticised her, Jaime reminded of the responsibilities of being a mother.
“Love is a verb. It is something you do. It is not the same as babying, coddling or spoiling. It is something my son deserves.
“I will always love him when he is hurting, and my prayer for him is that he is always open to receiving love, so he can love in return and keep that cycle going.”
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