Mothering the Birthday Slayer

[Professor Walsh]

I wonder what it will feel like if one of my sons comes home on one of his birthdays as obviously shattered as Buffy is at the end of "Innocence" and just as unwilling and incapable of telling me about it as what we see portrayed there.

 

[Spuffyy]

I hope i would know, and as bad as it may sound i fear having a relationship like joyce and buffy with my daughter..

 

[Professor Walsh]

I hope i would know, and as bad as it may sound i fear having a relationship like joyce and buffy with my daughter..

I know. Joyce said a few things to Buffy that I hope I'll never hear slip out of my mouth. But just there, when Buffy was so heartbroken, my heart went out to them both. If it was me and my child, I can see myself coaxing, begging and trying anything to get her to tell what had happened, because not knowing is so frightening and would leave me feeling so helpless and useless. Yet we, the viewers, know that Buffy just cannot tell her mother what she'd just gone through. And most of us feel that way sometimes. I know that, I know that I sure did. It takes some strength to be able to just let your child lean on you without asking the questions that are burning on your tongue.