Hugs

“You are a big girl. Just follow the other kids up to the door, and your teacher will be waiting on you,” the young mother said.

It was the third week of three-year-old preschool. With a baby in a car seat, the young mother encouraged her daughter to walk the short distance from the car to the preschool door alone. There were no streets to cross, and Mom stood by the car door.

Hesitantly, the child adjusted her backpack and started toward the school house door. Mom thought “Yes! Mission accomplished—the beginning of independence.”

But then, Mom heard a tiny plea, “Mommy, I need a huggie.”

I, too, was anxious for my young children’s independence. Now, though, with my grandchildren ranging in age from 7 months to 18 years, I know children become independent. So, slow down young mothers. Give your little ones hugs as they step into their first few months of learning. And yes, mamas and grandmas need hugs from little arms, too.