I had a completely different idea in mind for today's post, then my daughter broke down in tears last night.
We had just finished our nightly routine of brushing and flossing before going to sleep. Princess steps down from the step-stool we keep in the bathroom and looks up at me with big brown eyes filled with tears. She starts to cry and say that she doesn't want to grow up, that she wants to be a kid forever.
I had no idea where this was coming from. I tried explaining that she had a very long time before she was a grown up...at least 13 years. "That's too short!" she wailed. Oh my, she was so upset. She told me that being a kid is more fun and she just doesn't want to be a grown up.
She asked if there was anything she can do to stop growing and stay a kid. I had thoughts of Neverland in my head, but didn't think she would get the reference and she was definitely not in the mood for a joke.
I tried to explain that being a kid is in your mind and that even if you get bigger you can still be a kid inside. This wasn't good enough.
I asked her if something happened that made her so upset about this. She said yes, that the Toothless Fairy was almost a grown up. I assured her that the Toothless Fairy still had a good ten years before she was a grown up. (This going with the assumption that we all become grown ups at 18, but I needed something to work with.)
We got in bed and she started to settle in to sleep (we co-sleep). I was reading for a while when Princess started asking more questions. She was really upset about this. I assured her that it was going to be a long time before she was a grown up and she proceeded to go through every age from the age of 8 on up to 20 when I said that 20 is sort of a grown up, but not really.
Finally she was somehow satisfied with our discussion and she fell asleep.
I must say I am thrilled to have a kid who likes being a kid. Me? I couldn't wait to be a grown up, but then childhood for me wasn't all that much fun. I am happy that I am giving my child the kind of childhood that makes her want to be a kid for a long, long time. I think I must be doing something right.
Pressed Leaf Star Garland
7 years ago
Posts
7 comments:
I couldn't wait to be a grown-up! Now I wish I were a kid again. Funny how that works.
I think it's awesome that she loves being a kid so much! You must be doing something right!
My 3 year old says all the time: "Me wish me still a baby."
What a smart, sweet little girl you are raising.
The Toothless Fairy: that made me laugh out loud.
I wanted to grow up too fast and the adults in my life went along with it (I was allowed to have a subscription to 17 magazine when I was 8). None of that in this house!
The husband says no dating either. ;)
It's fantastic that she's embracing her kid-ness. So many children esp. girls want to be grown up. With sexy "role models" like Hannah Montana and the High School Musical kids, it's not hard to see why. Looks like those movies aren't watched in your house either.
skyewriter, the Toothless Fairy is my daughter. :) Come on over and check out my blog and you'll hear/read more about her.
Shady Lady, both Toothless Fairy and Blue Eyed Boy had this same discussion with me. The tears, the wailing, you name it. I told them, that they didn't have to be grown up until they were ready. I told them there was no specific age, when I expected them to be grown up, and that they'll automatically know when it's time for them to be grown up.
This helped immensely. Blue Eyed Boy then said, that when he's grown up he'll buy a house next door to ours, so he never has to be far away from me. Secretly I thought that his future wife will be absolutely thrilled with the prospect of having to live next to her mother-in-law FOREVER. ;)
My older daughter went through that phase, and I explained many times just what you did. Now my younger daughter is going through the same thing. She says she wants to be a little girl forever and I say, "okay!" They'll grow up too fast either way, and it is always okay to want to be young at heart.
It sounds like there are a lot of mommas out there doing something right.
Freckle, your son wants to live next door...Princess says she wants to live *with me* forever! How do you think her husband will feel about that?! Oh wait, our kids are betrothed. I guess I'll be living next door to you and Blue Eyes will be living with me!
Post a Comment