Why Elmo Made Me Cry

It was one of those days. The kind of day where the floor isn’t swept, and food sticks to your feet while your toddler is screaming for you, the baby is crying and you haven’t had time to even brush your teeth. I clicked on Sesame Street in hopes to gain some peace. It worked. My toddler sat nicely, while I was able to catch up on some morning housework, drink my coffee and even put on a little make-up. I joined my daughter in the living room for the end of the episode.

We’ve watched enough Sesame Street for me to notice a pattern. At the end of every episode, Elmo says, “Elmo loves you, keep learning!” Even though I’ve come to expect this, it caught my attention that morning. I hadn’t told my daughter I loved her yet that morning. Most mornings it’s the first thing I say. But that morning, Elmo was the first one to tell Olivia she is loved.

What struck me though was this: There are children who watch Sesame Street regularly, who may never hear they are loved, by anyone other than Elmo. The TV may be a source of escape, day in and day out. Elmo might be the only one who tells them they are loved and offer them encouragement to keep learning. I let that sink in for a moment. I imagined the writers at Sesame Street brainstorming how to end the show. Elmo could say, “thanks for watching,” but instead, they choose to remind children they are loved.

Even parents with the absolute best intentions get busy and flustered. We forget to say the words, “I love you.” We forget to offer encouragement.

My eyes swelled up with tears, and I turned to my daughter, took her hand, and said “Mommy loves you too.”

And because she’s a toddler, she flashed a smile, “Thanks! We eat now!” and bounced off the couch.

So, if you haven’t been told yet today: “You’re loved, keep learning. You got this!” … This is for you.