My Babies They'll Be

Each week at school one student from each grade is chosen as The Leader of the Week. They are recognized on the schools morning announcements for standing out that week for one reason or another. In the beginning of the year Parker was chosen for cheering up a classmate that was missing her momma and crying. He stood in front of the camera and cheered himself on with pride. I cried. It was a big deal.
Today when I picked up the boys their teacher informed me that Parker would be on TV this week as Leader of the Week. Jake immediately looked at me and I knew what he was thinking. I praised Parker and I asked Jake if it made him sad and he said no. On the drive home my heart was breaking for Jake knowing that he hadn't yet been selected as a Leader and his brother was getting a second turn. When we pulled into the garage I again asked him if he was sad and his little chin started to quiver and his eyes welled up and he said, "a little!"
I asked him if it was because he hadn't yet had a turn and he said yes. I told him well we should still be proud of Parker but I'll ask your teacher if everyone gets a turn. He was satisfied with that. My head started racing and my heart started pounding. My poor baby was heartbroken. He WAS proud of his brother but dang it he wanted to be recognized too! What the hell?!!What do I say to his teacher?
As we're walking into the house my phone rings and sure enough it's their teacher. She apologizes and tells me that it IS Jake's turn! She got confused in car circle and told me it was Parker by mistake and she knows he already received his award in the beginning of the year and they try to give every student a turn etc etc.
PHEW! I was so relieved that I didn't have to initiate that conversation with her, but more so that my poor sweet baby was getting his turn!!! And that I didn't have to somehow explain to him that his brother gets two awards when he hasn't gotten one yet. Ugh.
He tried so hard to be tough and hide his disappointment in the car. I just wanted to squeeze him and protect him and make it all better. That's all I want to do for the rest of their lives

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