Matty in the Middle

The middle child. Not old enough to do everything his older brother can, but not young enough to be carried and cared for like his baby sister. His little life involves hand-me-downs and trying to fill his big brother’s shoes (both physically and metaphorically).

My Matty also happens to be my spirited child, my dragon. Breathing fire and ready for battle. Persistent, intense, and feisty. He knows how to love hard, too. And when it comes down to it, he’ll be the first one to defend his friend or stand up for someone in trouble.

The past few months have been tough for this little guy- new baby sister, moving homes, and starting kindergarten all at the same time… and in the middle of the madness. He had only six months of preschool before life changed and masked faces became the norm. And amidst all that, he’s pulled through, seemingly unscathed to many.

But I know it hasn’t come without a price. When you’re just a little guy dealing with big man stuff, emotions run high and jealousy shows up in ways unexpected, making my mama heart question how to discipline my stubbornly sweet boy with love.

He needs a safe place to land and also a strong guide. I’ve figured out that each action he takes, whether good or bad, is a message, his way of sharing his deeper feelings with me. And as he learns how to navigate this tricky world, I’ll be by his side learning, too.