born in 1998.
ten years old.
she is so on the fence between childhood and adolescence.
paper dolls and boy crushes.
i can feel it. i can hear it. i can see it.
just two things she has said recently that just make my stomach flip. i am so proud of her and who she is becoming. she is kind. respectful. resourceful. gentle. imaginative. creative. thoughtful. generous. and so much more.
a number of days ago:
this is her response to a conversation about being in a jr. high group, me sharing my thoughts on not losing childhood time and loving some of the little girl things that she loves [like paper dolls, for example]....
she: " oh no mom. i'll never stop with my paper dolls. you just wait, i'll be the weird paper doll girl and that's cool with me! i don't care. i love them and i can't see myself not loving that. everyone will know me as the weird paper doll girl. yeah. i like that!" smile smile smile.
me: "you're so awesome. i love you."
she: "yeah, i love me too :) and i love you too, too."
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and today out of no where:
she: "i am so proud of me for being different."
these are the sort of words i want her to walk into adolescence with. i couldn't have asked for better words streaming out of her mouth. i don't know what to expect as we walk through life together, she and i, but i do know who i have seen her to be, who she has grown into thus far and i can only imagine and hope that this will continue on as positively as we support, encourage, listen and love her.
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with that all said, books i have checked out from the library right now include:
queen bees and wannabes
reviving ophelia
girl in the mirror
[so if you have any other good suggestions for me as i walk this path and i see that mysterious, unkown curve up ahead, please do share. ]
i am grateful to say, i think our girls are kindred spirits.
ReplyDeletemy naomi, also born in 1998 went to school in an outfit that was pulled from the dress up closet. she said, "by now everyone knows i'm weird and that i know it too."
hold on, sweet girls.
I, too have a daugter born in 1998. It's a strange time, isn't it- not a little girl anymore but not a teenager yet. It's nice to see them hold onto who they are and not fall into the ways of pop culture. Thank you for the book recommendations- I will be checking them out. And thank you for sharing your blog- it is a breath of fresh air!
ReplyDeleteoh, sarah. i agree- such beautiful and affirming words to hear from her! good job, mama.
ReplyDeletecolin is 15 in a few weeks and is becoming such a good young man- kind, sensitive, polite, confident. you should see some of the outfits he wears to school- bow ties, plaid caps, leather-hip length-coat, cane. i have heard from another student's mom that he is known as a 'smart kid- really good in math'. and he is comfortable and happy going to school. i am so pleased i could cry.
all the thought and energy and joy and tears put into rearing our children. to see them growing into confident, loving people. what blessing and joy.
"Odd Girl Out" was a great book that I recommend!
ReplyDeletei love you and her and your family. so beautiful. she is an incredible young lady! so sincere and truly beautiful. admirable.
ReplyDeletewe love ocean too. and i feel that we are also on the cusp of adolescence - though it feels too soon. i can just see signs. i have the ophelia book on my shelf, ready and waiting for when i need it.
ReplyDeletedid you see these paperdolls?
http://theblackapple.typepad.com/inside_a_black_apple/2009/01/new-dolls-made.html