Heartbreaking..

It is heartbreaking for me as a parent to see kids at different functions whether it be a Church, sport or school event looking around to see if their mom/dad is there to see and support them. You can sometimes see them causally glance over their shoulder when they make a point in the game. Sometimes they break their necks to see if mom or dad is there to see them sing their little off key two sentence solo. Sometimes they just want to know that although things are not the same as they used to be that their parent is there for them and will support them.

Now before you get all upset let me first say that I understand that there are parents who work and cannot make it to everything. I also understand that sometimes there are more than one child in a family with things going on at the same time, I also understand that sometimes there is sickness, family emergencies and a plethora of other reasons and honestly kids who know these things are usually ok and very understanding about the "missing" parent..

It is those kids whose parents just choose not to show up that really get me.. I guess because I have had to deal with this on a personal level.. This doesn't just effect small children, but older children and teenager alike.. A few years ago I watched my oldest daughters world crash as they called her parents names for Senior night and even though she had been looking all throughout the game and in her heart she knew it crushed her when only I started across the gym to her.. I was one of the most heartbreaking I have watched one of my children go through and to know there was nothing I could do to prevent it..

As a parent we are the adults.. Are our kids going to hurt our feelings, act a fool, be disrespectful at times and not always agree with us.. Of course however when you become a parent you have to step up, be an adult and not a selfish childish brat yourself.. It shouldn't matter if your married to the children's other parent or not and it darn sure shouldn't matter if you get along with them or not.. You really have no idea the amount of damage you are doing when you do not show up and support your kids when you can..

Sad thing is in a couple of days my youngest daughter will be celebrating her Senior night for basketball season and her words were I'm not getting my hopes up mom. That my friend's is heartbreaking..

As a parent step up, grow up and support your kids.. It really doesn't matter if you like the other parent, are upset with your kids or any of your other pathetic excuses support your children.. They really didn't ask to be in this situation.. Someday you still wish your kids cared, supported you and were around.