PARENTING January 28, 2008 Issue

PARENTING WITHOUT REGRETS

CHERYL RANSON

"MY MOM'S NOT GUILTY!" My toddler's voice rang through the courtroom where I was contesting a traffic ticket. Well, we had everyone's attention—and the normal flow of activity abruptly stopped.

Standing before the judge with child and toys trailing from my arms, I was almost overcome with embarrassment. Deep down, though, my heart was touched by my little boy's unquestioning vote of confidence.

The kind and understanding judge helped me recover gracefully, and we concluded our business, But although years have elapsed since that day in court, this child's protest of my innocence still reverberates. He was too young to have known whether I'd driven faster than the posted speed limit. His certainty came from his love for me; it was impossible for him to see me as guilty.