The one thing that can cripple my mental (and even physical) well-being above all else is when my children have been harmed, whether intentionally or otherwise. If I see them in distress, I am knocked for six. I can't think, can't sleep and can sometimes see red, which is not at all pleasant.
Yesterday, I was met with this challenge. One of my children had been treated unjustly and it had left him feeling demoralised, frustrated and sad. This incident happened at school; he was on the receiving end of a teacher's momentary wrath. Given the imbalance of power in their exchange, it came as no real surprise that he felt the way he did. But what upset me the most was that he could see the injustice but had resigned himself to accept the outcome, feeling helpless and completely disempowered.
Now for a child of my son's assertive and forthright character to simply accept injustice is very concerning. When, and more importantly, how, did he arrive to this state of resignation? What has happened to my precocious young man? When had he developed this acute awareness of the bleak realities of the adult world??
I just wanted to make it all better for him right then and there. I wanted to go right over to his teacher and ask for an explanation not just to me but to my son. Why couldn't she see the damage she had done?
But, the school day had ended and so I would have to endure the agonising wait until the morning to get my answers. And whilst the dozen hours that ensued gave me some much needed clarity, it also gave rise to immeasurable anxiety about the impending exchange, even for me, a fully grown woman, mother and teacher.
Why? Because it was personal. It was about my boy. And I knew I had to come through for him. I knew what was at stake and that I had to somehow reinstil some confidence in his world, some sense of justice, however small.
The morning came, and it was time. I took a few deep breaths, rehearsed to key points I wanted to convey, and asked God for inspiration (as a good Muslim does!).
The exchange was empowering. I was able to represent my son's case clearly and respectfully- I had given him a voice, and I felt he was heard. The outcome was positive and most importantly it was a lot more just. And he noticed. Which is all that I could have asked for...alhamdulilah.
