Trying is important, but sometimes asking for help is more importantDear Kid,

Several days ago, I was grumpy. (Yeah, I get it—barely taller than Snow White’s friends, but I am beardless so let it go.) Since a wise person once wrote that we are responsible for choosing our own happiness (it is amazing how brilliant I can be at times), I decided to follow my own advise and find a little bit of happy.

Sometimes choosing to be happy requires a little bit of help.

I sent a text to your sister asking if there was any possible way she could send me a text to make me smile. Approximately 32 seconds later my phone beeped.

“I have renamed Booker” read the text “He is now…Doug.”

And I grinned from ear to ear.

Each time the grumpiness tried to crawl back that afternoon I thought “Doug” and it kept the grumpy at bay.

countdown to college dorm move in 2 days to goLater that evening when I asked Booker how he felt about the name change, he tilted his head, asked to be scratched behind his ears, and suggest a snack might be in order. He didn’t get a snack (or a new name), but he did get a scratch and a snuggle.

Pretty much everyone was happy.

Sometimes it’s important to figure things out for ourselves. To dig in and hammer through a problem. Trying, missing, trying again can be a great way to learn. (Just ask the Little Engine.)

There are times, however, when trying to solve problems on your own just leads to frustration. The “I’m going to stick my head through the concrete wall” kind of frustration. Or worse, the “I. Give. UP!” kind of frustration.

Asking for help is a sometimes difficult and often important skill. It shows tremendous insight, intelligence, and strength of character to be able to say “I can’t do this all on my own.” Especially when the “this” in question is something we think we ought to be able to accomplish just fine thank you very much.

Something to remember as you begin your first semester of college.

Love, Mom