Tag: girls

I see you my little

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I can literally see you growing before my eyes.

Lately you’ve been into Rainbow Looms. You sit and make these bracelets and can’t wait to show them off. Your level of concentration at this newfound hobby is something I haven’t witnessed in you before.

The other day one of your friends was sad.  For the first time, I felt that you were really, really affected by the fact that she was hurt. That you couldn’t make her feel better. And so you wrote her a letter and asked me to walk it across the street to give to her mom.

Today we were at a friend’s house for a pool party. Daddy asked if he could come swim and play with you. You said not now – I’m playing with my friends, but you can come watch. And I saw a slight pang in your daddy’s eyes. “A short window,” he said to someone.  “You only get a short window.”

You are becoming fiercely independent. And I grow more and more proud of you every day. Not just at how hard you worked in first grade this year, but at the person, the real person you are becoming.

I see you, my almost 7 year old, and at the same time I feel you slipping away. I know you will fly on your own someday my little…I’m just grateful I have you here under my wing for a bit longer.

we don’t use the word fat in our house

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I came across a post today that confirmed why I have a rule I have in my home.  With a daughter, S,  who is about to turn 5, I am very conscious of ANY comments I make around her in regards to physical appearances.  I don’t say that makeup makes me feel pretty (I just say that ladies like to use it for fun); although I’m not at my ideal weight, I don’t talk about feeling “fat”; and, I don’t use the word “diet” – instead if I’m watching what I eat, I call it an “extra healthy eating plan.”

The post above made me sad. I worry so much for my daughter – that she will learn, through peers, that some people define themselves through physical appearances. I dread the day that she comes home and worries about being fat or not pretty enough and wants something to change about how she looks. She is, in my eyes, absolutely perfect. But I know that as girls grow older, it is bound to happen.

I had a relative in my house a couple of months ago talking about how they felt fat – and I pulled them aside to let them know that I’d appreciate it if they didn’t talk like that around S. I think she thought I might be a bit overprotective, but knowing how early girls start picking up on things like this I want to be careful.

I hope S never loses that free spirited, carefree, eager-to-put-on-a-bathing-suit-and-run-through-the-sprinkler type of personality. But, I know it will change and insecurities will set in. I just hope it is later rather than sooner, so as long as I can control the conversations in my home I will.