These last 5 years with my daughter have been nothing short of amazing. Like so many other parents I've witnessed her grow into her own person. She has her own opinions, ideas and attitudes.
Recently I've noticed that she even knows how to make me legitimately laugh. Not just the "aw, it's so cute to see my little girl be all grown up hee, hee, hee!!!". More like, wow, that's something that is actually really funny and it's an original thought on her part.
These 5 years haven't been all rosy either, we've worked through some tough stuff. I've been dealing with the reality of one word answers too. How was your day? Good. What happened today? Nothing. Can you tell me anything interesting or unusual about the day? Not really. (Ok that last answer was a 2 worder but you get the idea...)
But it seems like every time I start talking about how great things are, some parent comes storming in to tell me "Yeah? Wait till she's a teenager, that will all be gone" or "Just wait until she wants nothing to do with you" or the like. Frankly I'd prefer they keep their warnings to themselves.
I get that there probably is a good intention behind it. But here's the bottom line: she's not a teenager.
She will be one and I'll have my own experience with her at that point. I'm not saying it's all going to be sweet and fuzzy. I was a teenager I get it. If I sit here and worry about the fact that she'll reject me one day then I'm not going to give an unfiltered attentive presence to all that she is right now.
It's all I ever have with her. And if anyone should be saying "wait until..." maybe it should be HER friends saying "wait until your Dad turns 50".
OMG, in 7 years I'll be 50. Oy vey! :)
Comments