Life With Boys

Life with boys … scouting has been part of my life since I was in the first grade when I attended my first brownie Girl Scout meeting … I was lucky to have the support and initiative to earn the highest honor, the gold award … and even through college I helped deliver the program at underserved schools, and I led a troop of my own … I am a lifetime member …

And then they told me my first kiddo was going to be a boy … a b-o-y … I didn’t know anything about boys … and the learning curve was steep …

As a boy scout mom, I learned the programs are very different … and I discovered so much about myself and my family along the way … and that has been fascinating, and humbling, and often cringe-worthy… and I hope that I’ve supported the scouts, whatever their path and left my fellow adult scouters with a memory or two …

And I guess I did … this past weekend I was honored to be presented with a mentor pin at an Eagle Court of Honor … This small gold pin represents so much to me … It means that I have had the unique opportunity to get to know, and maybe cajole, and maybe help a bit along the way …

I have been so fortunate to have been recognized by more than one scout … I hope that my usually quiet behind-the-scenes assistance will inspire other parents and scouts to lend a hand where they can … it takes a village to make the opportunities possible …

Even if you can’t commit to a long-term committee position, can you show up to wrangle kiddos at a service project? Can you help process flags or collect food? Eat out on the dine-out nights … or maybe even go camping …

Showing up counts … whether it is Scouts or sports or being a good friend …

I am honored to wear my mentor pins … and I hope there is a mentor pin in your future …