The Mom I Want to Know

  I'm sitting at IBH (Integrated Behavioral Health) this morning with my oldest daughter, waiting for an appointment with our 3rd new psychiatrist in the past year. On the table of the IBH waiting room is a table full of celebrity magazines. Kim Kardashian stares up at me and the cover article invites me to take an inside look at her life. I look up to see a young boy, probably about 10 or so years-old (my daughter's age) come out of the office and close the door behind him. He has on wide-rimmed glasses and something about him, his lovable quirkiness, makes me wonder if he is on the spectrum like my baby. His mom asks him how his session went, then she gets up to go see when she should bring him back. I can't hear the receptionist's answer, but they must not need to come back for awhile because the mom smiles at her kid and says, "Well, you must be doing good, then. Way to go!" Something about this simple exchange makes me want to know this mom- to become her friend and see how she is navigating not only the already murky waters of raising a pre-teen, but raising one who has the need to see a psychiatrist for whatever reason (ADHD, Asperger's, whatever). I want to say, "You must be doing good too, mom. Way to go!", because I know it's tough. It's tough, not only watching your kid struggle, but also tough not knowing how to help them, especially when you have to maneuver through the hoops and red tape of insurance policies, ever-changing doctor, and waiting lists. This particular mom seemed to be doing this dance well and SHE is the mom whose life I want an inside view of. Not Kim Kardashian with her millions and her paid help. I want to know how this mom copes with having more than she can possibly do in one day and still raise a kid who needs a little extra from her just to grow up and be "normal". I want to know this mom and tell her she absolutely rocks in the way I want to rock. She's a rockstar mom, the kind I want to know, and being a rockstar mom is way better than being Kim Kardashian, and I guarantee it pays way better- just not in a tangible way.