Sweet Girl turns 7 this week. I wouldn’t have thought it to be such a change, but the past few months have brought sassiness and drama into our lives for the first time. I blame You Tube, but it’s got to be her friends too (or her friends watching the same videos). For instance, I had no idea that kids actually say “OMG.” I know we write it sometimes in text messages, but I’d never heard anyone say it. Like out loud. It sounds ridiculous (or as my daughter would say, “ridic”). In what sense are they in such a time crunch that they need to abbreviate???
I was looking through photos from the first couple of years of being parents, surprised that the girl in the photos is absolutely nothing like the girl we have now, aside from the intensity. I felt proud of and grateful for the time I spent with her and also sad that that little cutie is gone. Partly I guess it’s scary to me that then I controlled her environment but now I can only shape so much of her and allow life to do the rest.
Some of the videos she likes to watch are of people opening toys and showing what’s inside and how it all works, girls doing DIY projects of school supplies or home items, any craft or cooking how-to or contest, and behind-the-scenes takes of movies and shows she likes. Actually, her favorite is a home tour, followed closely by a “what’s in my wallet” tour… random, I know. I guess that’s where she gets all her funny accents and ideas. She’s also been saying “what the…” and I just this second realized that she does not know that there’s another word that follows!
I asked her last night what she wants this upcoming year to be for her. She said she wants to be a teenager this year. I kid you not! I told her that she should enjoy right now because once she is a teenager, she’ll wish she were older still. There’s always something else to long for, right? I think she wants the hair and nails and phone of a teenage girl. 🙂
Luckily, she still wants to marry Mr. B, snuggle with us all the time, read stories together, and be with us 24/7. I never thought I’d say that last part but I do see a time when she slams her bedroom door and blasts music, with me dumbfounded and having no idea how to handle her.
Ah, parenthood.
I see her caring much more about friendships and other people, and it’s fascinating to watch her struggle with other personalities. I hear about know-it-alls in her classroom and bossiness on the playground. When I was young, I was so shy and timid that I’d never have spoken up about some things that Sweet Girl does, with our encouragement. Yesterday she said that she finally told a demanding friend at recess that she will not do everything she says to do. You go, girl! Yes, that other girl walked away to play with someone else, but that’s ok!
I can see that she’s gained huge confidence from learning to read chapter books and do math and print all the letters and generally absorb like a sponge the world around her. Maybe she will never be one to put dirty clothes in the hamper or be bothered by a mess. I’m not giving up though. I hope she will continue to be her lively and extroverted self even when she’s with people like me who need her to take the party to the other room.
In this next year, I hope to be more “in the moment” when I’m with her and less “in my head.” I do worry so much about who she will become but would like to just go with it, assuming she will be a good person and thus enjoying her for what she brings to our lives. I would like to find a way to impart moral lessons without inducing eye rolling. Yes, we’ve arrived at that too. I’m not ready!
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