Broken Hearts

Give me backs to rub while kids are sick, little knees to apply Band-Aids to, imagined boo-boos to kiss, over my child’s heartache any day. The sting of rejection and the loss of love can’t be helped by Mom, no matter how much she wishes it could.

If you’re the parent of a teenager (or a soon-to-be teen), know that no number of mother-child talks on the subject can prepare someone for the blow of being dumped. To those inexperienced concerning matters of the heart, as teenagers usually are, it can feel like a rug has been ripped out from under them; their whole world upside down.

Although my 18yo felt the impending doom looming for a while, the pain she felt after her boyfriend of 3 1/2 years broke up with her was huge. They had been together since she was in grade 9. Our family grew to love him over the time we were together, and they were wonderful to each other.

Less than two weeks before prom, and right before exams, through tears he told her that he would not be able to handle her being so far away in when she left for university in September and that it would be better for them both if he ended it now. Once he realized it himself, he had to be honest with her right away – it was that honesty we admired in him that caused her to go through exams, prom, and summer alone.

It was hard, but my daughter made it through with the help of friends and family, but man, it’s hard seeing your child in pain.

Featured image credit: David De Lossy/Thinkstock

Natalie Rea

Mom to two amazing daughters - a feisty teen in middle school, and an ambitious young adult in university. Originally from Montréal's West Island, I now explore the beautiful trails of Hamilton, Ontario. Proud Canadian, vegetarian, dog-adopter, & bleeding-heart liberal. I smile a lot because I have Resting Bitch Face.