I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!
The teacher is sincere and she loves my son. “He’ll be fine when he finds his tribe,” she said matter-of-factly at a parent-teacher conference in the fall. I’ve been thinking about that comment ever since. I want him to find his tribe.
Some of his tribe is in this old commercial.
Some of his tribe can be found in picture books biographies about people who were different and made a difference. Albert Einstein in Odd Boy Out by Don Brown is a great example.
Today I read The Inventor’s Secret: What Thomas Edison Told Henry Ford by Suzanne Slade and I can’t wait to read it to my own kids. I’m especially looking forward to sharing it with my son the inventor, who just this morning was mixing vinegar and baking soda on the hallway rug.
In this story, you meet Thomas Edison and Henry Ford as children. They are both curious. They both got in trouble. They both found each other, and others in their “tribe.” They both made a difference.
Later in the story, Henry Ford is jealous of Thomas Edison’s success. He wants to know his secret. Finally he finds it out: “Keep at it.” Growth mindset anyone?
The other day, my son had his feelings hurt by people he considers friends at school. It was mean. It will probably forever stay with him and shake his confidence with friendships and kindness. I want to tell you the story, but it’s his slice not mine. So instead I will read him stories, and find ways to support his crazy ideas. I will try to help him keep at it, discover his way, and find his “tribe.”
On a Thought 
Thanks for sharing this slice. My son has been hurt as well. Those wounds are slow to heal and never forgotten. My son has found his “tribe” although I think he will always be on guard- keep supporting and loving your child! He will always be part of your “tribe”.
The only place my kids have found their tribe is at summer camp. For us, living in a small town where, if you weren’t born here you never quite belong, has been tough. Those two weeks at camp have shown them that there are people like them out there. Hoping college this fall will prove there are people who have the same passions. Keep the lines of communication open. It will work out. Good luck.
I loved this! He will find his tribe! I wish the same for my son. He had a tribe; but now that they are older, they are venturing in different directions it seems. Will they come back together? Time will tell. It’s hard, as a parent, to watch and wait for our children to find acceptance and happiness. It will happen!!!
Thank you for sharing this slice. I am confident your son will find his tribe. And you’ll be right there watching with pride.
You are empowering your son – bravo, Mom!
He will find his tribe and he has his number one supporter in you! You’re sharing books to give your children windows into a bigger world than the place they live.
I just wrote something similar the other day about finding it hard to watch our kids struggle and find their way and so happy to see them when they do find it! Sounds like you’re doing a great job supporting him!