So, there I was, lying on my bed when my youngest son (who was nine years old) came in and slumped down beside me, laying his head heavily on my shoulder.

“Mom, I feel sad when I’m forgotten.”

Automatic, split second, internal knee-jerk responses in my head: Bells and whistles! Red flags! You will never be forgotten! Don’t be sad. I will never forget you! How did you get that idea? It’s gonna be ok, I promise!

Split-second-after-that-first-split-second counter-response in my head: Wait, what’s happening here? He looks so sad.

Me: Oh. Thank you for telling, sweetie. Hmmm… I wonder, do you remember when was the last time that you were forgotten?

T: I don’t know.

Me: Okay… when was the first time you were forgotten?

T: I don’t know.

Me: Okay, thank you. Hmmm… How do you feel if you are forgotten?

T: I feel sad.

Me: Of course you’ll feel sad, honey. I would feel sad too if I were forgotten. Are there any other feelings coming up?

T: Afraid…

Me: Of course you’ll feel afraid. Like oh no! What am I going to do? And yes, that can be scary. Hmmm… (speaking more slowly) did someone forget you?

T: Well, I remember one time. Dad was late in picking me up from school.

Me: Oh. What happened?

T (drops voice a bit): We had exams that day, so we had shortened schedules. Dad was supposed to pick me up at 12. All my classmates had gone home. I was the only one left.

Me: And when was this?

T: When I was in grade 2. [two years ago]

Me: I see. And what time did dad come?

T: One o’clock.

Me: Oh my. That WAS a pretty long wait. So, what was happening with dad?

T: He thought he was supposed to pick me up at one o’clock. (pauses; eyes dart here and there, and then widen) Oh, wait! I told him the night before he was supposed to pick me up at 1:00!

Me: Ah. So you told him to pick you up at 1:00. How did you know that dismissal was at 12?

T: After our last exam, all my classmates went home.

Me: Okay. So, did dad really forget you?

T: No, he just thought he was going to pick me up at 1:00.

Me: Thank you. Can you see where you were when this happened?

T: Yes, I was sitting on the bench beside the gate of the school. The guards were with me.

Me: Oh wow! That’s great! Thank you. Could you please just tell that grade 2 you what happened with dad?

T (closes his eyes for some time… then nods): Yup, he knows.

Me: Thank you. Thank you, baby. You are awesome! (Indeed, he was!) So, hmmmm… next time daddy may come late, how could that be for you, I wonder?

T: It’s ok. He’s coming.