Everything okay?

School had been back for a week or so when I started noticing little things.

One afternoon, one of my kids came home, barely said hello, and went straight to their room.

A little quieter than usual.

I walked past the closed bedroom door.

Kept walking.

Then went back and knocked.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah.”

“You sure? You seem kind of quiet.”

“Mom. I’m fine. Stop worrying.”

I’m not worrying.

Except now I definitely was.

I went back downstairs.

Maybe they’re just tired.

Did something happen at school?

Should I ask again later?

I knew I probably shouldn’t keep asking.

So I didn’t.

But when they came downstairs later, I noticed myself paying attention.

Do they seem okay now?

At dinner, I listened a little more closely.

Maybe they’d mention something funny that happened in class.

Or complain about homework in the completely ordinary way they always did.

Anything that would make me think:

Okay. Nothing’s wrong.

If you’ve found yourself watching a little more closely since school started, I get it.

You just want to know they’re okay.

🧡 Jeanine

Have you asked “Everything okay?” yet this school year? I’d love to hear.