Goose is our oldest son. He turns 12 soon and couldn't be more excited! He is kind of stuck in the "in between" stage of life..still a kid but trying to grow up to become a teenager. He loves his X-box, Scouts, and his friends. He loves me and his dad very much and has a huge heart for his siblings. He loves being called the Man of the House whenever dad is at work. So I decided a few days after we found out to go ahead and tell him he was going to have to step up his game and really become the Man of the House.
He was over at a friends house and his mom asked him to tell him about his dad. (She knew he was leaving but didn't know Goose didn't!) Goose asked what she was talking about. She realized right then that he didn't know. She made something up and tried to move on. But Goose is just like me. He thinks the worst right away. She had to reassure him that Dad was fine.
So I found the opportunity to talk to him by himself. We were standing in the kitchen together and I told him that dad was leaving. Getting deployed. He got tears in his eyes and asked where he was going. I had to reassure him and myself again that he was going to a safe place. He would miss Christmas but Grandma and Grandpa were going to be here.
I never want to lose communication with my kids. I want them to feel comfortable to tell me anything! So I dig a little. "How are you feeling Goose? Are you okay?"
"Mom, my heart dropped to my stomach when you told me. But he has to go and I understand that."
I gave him a big hug and he went to play his X-box. I wonder if he left so quickly so he could cry it out like I did.
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