My parents were a weird mix. One was way too controlling. The other had a tendency toward absenting themselves because of marital unhappiness. I get where you're coming from.

It can take a while to get your legs under you as a parent. Kids should really come with instruction manuals or something, as they say.

Glad to hear you're getting your confidence and feeling solid ground as a parent. Thanks for giving your son the gift of confidence and resilience, too.

Mom shaming doesn't look like it's going anywhere anytime soon. At some point, you'll be in a position to resonate realities to young mothers. I appreciate your kind words and I'm tickled mine meant something to you. I'm going to ask you to pay it forward at some point when you can. With the insane levels of maternal pressure and scrutiny aimed at women and mothers, it's a certainty that someone in your orbit will need to hear it.

My best to you, your son, and the rest of your family.