In my early teens there was a boy at school who oozed confidence and because of that everyone wanted to be his friend. But he could be mean at times. Not just to me but anyone that didn’t fit the cool demeanour he wanted to portray.
The turning point came when we were out cross country running. I discovered him sitting at the base of a tree having an asthma attack. We were in the woods and he was alone. I lent him my inhaler and sat with him until his breathing returned to normal. It seemed the decent thing to do.
Back in class I asked if he was alright after what happened. He told everyone I’d made up a story about him having an asthma attack in the woods. Confidence shattered I did my best to have little to do with him after that.
Some years later I bumped into him in a pub car park near where I lived. Out of the blue he apologised for being cruel at school and thanked me for helping him in the woods that day. I never saw him again.
It’s incredible after such a long time I remember these two events from the eighties so clearly. Perhaps it’s because he was partly responsible for transforming a shy thirteen year old into the ‘put me in a room and I’ll talk to anyone’ individual you know today.
Yes we all have wobbles but on the whole we try to remain confident. Or at least give the impression we are.
POD is only four and is already so sociable. I love that she’s hugely independent, enjoys interacting with people of all ages and knows what she wants. Even if it means wearing 8 hair clips in one day!
She started nursery when she was just a year old. As I working parent, it was so reassuring when you dropped her off and she didn’t look back. On the days she was upset, you knew you just had to walk away. However awful you felt, in the long run it would be good for her. And it was.
The time she’s spent at nursery has stood POD in good stead and she has bags of confidence as a result. There’s been lots change over the past few years there but some children have been with her all the way through.
When they start school in September they’ll probably be separated. I’m sure however POD’s determination will ensure she thrives wherever she ends up.
Linking up with Mum Turned Mom for #ThePrompt where the theme is confidence.
I really feel for you regards the story of the boy and the inhaler…
It sounds to me like he’s kicked himself many times for what he did. I suspect most lads have stories like that where they thought one thing yet said another.
I’m sure POD will be just fine at school because her lovely mum will be there t guide her along. X
I love that he apologised, all be it a tad late! Some great photos in the post too 🙂
Helen x
aw bless her, my daughter has always had very low self esteem although we try to help encourage her in everything she does and praise her immensly with everything, confidence is a huge issue
Teens and children can be so cruel to each other sometimes. I love that he felt the need to apologise and thank you later, even if it was years later.
It sounds like POD is growing in confidence and I am sure she will do well when she starts school in September
That’s so interesting that he apologised after so long. I bet you were knocked over by that. It must have always played on his mind and he remembered it, just as you did. It’s good to have confident children. Mine are shy and it’s difficult for them at times. All I can do is keep reassuring them and giving them the skills to deal with situations as they arise.
At least the boy realized his mistake and apologized, better late than never.
I think it’s kind of lovely that he apologised, albeit late, I imagine he remembered because he felt guilty at the time and for a long while after.
I often wonder what horror some children must have had to be that nasty, I am sure Pod will have a wonderful time at school. She is such beautiful girl
Better late than never 😉
What gorgeous photos x x
I want to say at least he apologised, but…. x
It is wonderful to grow in confidence
School can be an amazing yet often cruel place, it is good that POD is already finding her own confidence, long may it continue! x
I have no doubt POD will be once again super confident in which ever school she goes to lovely .. she is her mothers daughter x
This is such a sweet post and I’m so pleased you both got the chance to meet each other again to have that acknowledgement of thanks. I’m sure that POD will thrive wherever she is. x
I suspect most of us have a story like this from our teenage years that has stayed with us, whether we were on the giving or receiving end. And, it is these moments that shape us. As he apologised, it had obviously stayed with him too, and that’s a good thing, your moment of kindness was worth it. I love how confident POD is, the wee girl is just the same, and I truly hope it continues throughout their school years. School can be tough, a certain amount of confidence can help greatly (I was painfully shy at school!) as long it is tempered with a caring nature – and I guess ensuring that is part of our job isn’t it? Thank you so much for sharing with #ThePrompt x
Such a lovely read and Pod sounds like her mummy, can make friends wherever she goes. I’m glad that guy apologies to you too eventually. He probably regretted it once he’d grown up a bit!
That’s funny that he apologised after – it shows it must have been on his mind too. It must have been horrible to have that happen though, children can be so cruel sometimes. Love your photos.
I am sure she will do just fine and her confidence will grow with time
Gorgeous photos, kids can be so cruel without realising at times. Confidence is a wonderful thing. Kaz x
N’s similar. Although maybe more self confident than all out walking into a room and straight away chatting away. It does take him a bit of time to size everyone up and then get involved. But similar to Pod, he’s been in nursery since a year old, and has always settled well. He’s lucky though in that he’ll be at the local school, he’ll have older cousins there, friends he knew that left nursery last year, and then there’s 8 of them going up from the 2 nurseries he goes to. So he’ll know the most people of everyone there.
Hope the school transition goes well for Pod (and you).