Parenting &...It’s A Wonderful Life
- lauraharris
- Jan 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 13
I went to see the play “It’s A Wonderful Life” with my husband and friends. It was beautiful. The story doesn’t get old. George Bailey remains one of literature’s best people, however reluctantly. And the scene that got me laughing with my husband was not the one you would expect.
First there’s George.
George Bailey has had a Very Bad Day.
It’s Christmas, the end of the year, and his uncle loses $8000 from their business.
(That number didn’t really phase me until we looked it up and realized that that would be like losing $140,000 today. That’s a LOT of money.)
And not only is the money lost, but if the bank examiner discovers it (which he does), then George can be charged with embezzlement and bank fraud. That means serious jail time.
This also all happens in the context of George’s story - hopes unrealized, dreams unreached, living in a place he’s always tried to get away from, taking care of a family that requires more and more money each year.
All in all, he’s had a Very. Bad. Day.
So, as we all do after a Very Bad Day, George goes home.
It’s Christmas Eve, his family is excited for Christmas and their party. The house is decorated, the fire is lit, his wife is smiling, his kids are happy and running around.
His son is asking him questions.
The piano is banging.
His daughter is sick.
His wife keeps asking what is wrong with him.
He never wanted to live in this town anyways.
He’s lost $140,000. It’s gone.
He’s facing serious jail time. Maybe life.
His little boy tugs and tugs and tugs on his shirt sleeve yelling “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!”
And George blows up.
He yells at everyone to shut up, to stop, to just be quiet! And it’s silent, everyone looking at him with surprise and fear and tears.
And honestly, as I write this, I’m stressed out of my mind. Even just remembering the cacophony is enough to raise my blood pressure.
My husband looked at me in the theater and whispered “THAT is what it took to make him lose it?” We laughed, because we both lose it with our kids for SO much less!
And then there’s Mary.
Mary is amazing. She is getting the house ready for a party, taking care of a sick kid, helping her other children with their projects, and trying to figure out what is going on with her husband. George enters an already chaotic house, walks around in an awful mood, and blows up at his family in a way that he never does.
And what does Mary do?
She speaks up for her kids - “George, stop torturing the children!”
She calls her husband out and holds him accountable.
And THEN… Mary figures out what is wrong with her husband. She does everything in her power to help and support him. She raises money from the neighbors and basically saves the day in a beautiful Christmas miracle.
She does both - holds her partner accountable and supports him.
When George comes home again (full of humility, gratitude, and apologies), he comes home to a sweet family, a supportive wife, and a home full of second chances.
Who are we?
Sometimes we’re George, and sometimes we’re Mary. Most of the time we’re in the middle somewhere, since we’re normal humans. What’s important is that we have compassion for ourselves, whatever role we find ourselves in.
Chaos is part of life, I would say especially around the holidays. Very Bad Days are a part of life. How do we respond to it? How do we treat the people around us? And what do we do when we make a mistake?
Thankfully, second chances and grace are also a part of life. Sometimes we will be the one in need of them, and sometimes we will be the ones offering them.
Sometimes we’re George. Sometimes we’re Mary. And I think the truth is we’re all just doing the best we can.
Laura Harris is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works in the Northwest Arkansas area, servicing Bentonville, Rogers, and Springdale. With over 10 years of experience, she's worked in various fields from in-home parenting counseling, to kids, to supervision of other therapists. Currently her specialty is supporting new parents, especially mothers.
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