Cry

A few months ago I was playing with my 3year old son.  I was begging him for a sweet little kiss.  When he teasingly said "No, no kisses,"  I pouted up and said "Mommy's going to cry."  He giggled "Noooo, Mommys don't cry."  Mommys don't cry, huh?  Oh, sweetie, how I wish that were true. 

The very idea that he believes that makes me weepy.  I love the thought that he would see me as strong enough not to cry.  Mommys are there to kiss the ouchies and right the wrongs.  We wipe away the tears, not produce them. 

I don't think I intentionally try to hide my tears from my kids but I realized that I don't cry very often in front of them.  Ironically, they are often the ones that cause the waterworks - from joy, frustration, hurt, or any other of the numerous heartstrings they pull on daily.

Is it okay for kids to see their parents cry? I want them to know that Mommys and Daddys hurt too. I want them to learn empathy and how their actions affect others.  I also want them to know that, tears or not, Mommy will always find the strength for them.  Always.

I gotta go.  I think I've got something in my eye.