Today I had one of those moments where you're reminded that once you become a parent the term "just Wednesday" no longer exists. My oldest daughter, Addison, is 7 years old and decided that it was time to get her ears pierced. She has been hounding me about this for a month, but we've just never found the time. We're a busy family. Someone always has a practice or a game, etc. But, tonight was an "off" night and so I asked her if she'd like to go have it done while we had time. Of course she jumped at the chance, and practically skipped all the way to car.
However, I noticed when I looked in the rear-view mirror that she wasn't quite as certain as she'd been when it was only a possibility. Now that it was really going to happen, she was having second thoughts. I asked her if she still wanted to go, and she asked the same question we all ask, "Will it hurt?" I really try to be honest with my kids, so I told her that it would hurt some, but if she wanted it done she'd have to endure a little bit of pain. Then the next question, "Will you hold my hand?" I absentmindedly said "sure" as I reached to answer my ringing phone.
We got to the mall and rushed to the store because we had a few more stops to make and I wanted to "get this done." Addi got to pick her own studs and of course she picked the expensive ones. Go figure, my diva daughter wants the glitter butterflies. Ok, fine, butterflies it is. I filled out the paper work as the salesgirl set up her station and Addison climbed hesitantly into THE CHAIR. She squeezed my hand and shut her eyes tightly. In they went, no problem. Well, that was quick and painless...or so I thought.
Addison jumped down off the chair and admired her new look in the mirror. The salesgirl said, "You did so great! And now you have your ears pierced. They'll be that way forever!" Wait...she's right. How did I not see this coming? One minute I was trying to scramble and just get this over with so that I could continue on with my "to do" list. Now all of the sudden I was the one with the deer in the headlights look. Forever. Yes, forever. This was one of those moments that my daughter would likely remember for the rest of her life. Her entire future flashed before my eyes in a matter of seconds. I imagined all of the reasons that she would be putting earrings in her ears. Prom, maybe a job interview, a night out with girlfriends, perhaps even some sentimental heirloom worn in honor of a loved one on her wedding day. This day deserved much more credit than I'd originally given it.
I looked at my beautiful daughter and smiled, told her how proud I was of her bravery, and although I could imagine her as a woman I was suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude that she'd chosen the glitter butterflies. For now, in this one special moment, she is still my little girl.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
"One Upping"
Ok Ladies, let's cut to the chase. Who is our worst critic? Who are we killing ourselves for when we're trying to volunteer for every club, lose 20 pounds, make wholesome meals, get regular mani/pedis, and do it all with a smile? It isn't our jerk of a boss. It isn't our husbands/boyfriends, etc. It's us. WE are the problem. I'm saying we need to work on being the solution.
I recently had the pleasure of a rare "girl's night out" with one of my best friends. We both changed outfits at least twice (because that's what we do) and upon making her decision, my friend announced that she was still reluctant to wear this outfit because she "didn't bring the right purse." Now, I (being a bear of very little brain) have no idea what kind of purse she would have needed. I happen to be one of those women that uses the same purse all year long (THE HORROR). Well, at least until my mother and sister hand me a new one and demand that I change it. But, I do know that for many women, the "correct" accessories are important. However, correct me if I'm wrong here, but we were going out to find men, right? (For her, I know that I'm married, people. For the record, that doesn't mean that I don't want to look hot, too). I don't know too many men who would have any idea what kind of purse she should have been carrying. And trust me, if you'd seen how great she looked you'd know that they probably wouldn't even have been able to tell me she was carrying a purse.
I also had a great conversation with another friend (school mom friend). We were talking about how overwhelming it can be to be a parent. She admitted that there are times that she could just cry because of the stress and pressure and chaos of life. I should have expected this I guess because we're all trying to do the same thing. Survive. However, this is one of those moms who comes to school every single day looking adorable and always has a smile. I seriously have NEVER seen this woman not smiling. And you know what I couldn't stop thinking about after that conversation? That in all the time I've known her and been awed by her, I've never actually told her. And why shouldn't I? The truth is we're all going a little crazy from time to time and who knows what a compliment such as that would have done for her day.
My neighbor/friend/fellow sweatpants guru, recently sent me a text message simply telling me that she was grateful for my family. She even added that I had very well-behaved children. Such a simple thing to do, and it changed my whole day. I vowed then and there to do things like that more often.
So, then, why do we do it? Why do we torture ourselves by pretending to be the "perfect woman"? To impress other women. And why do we have to impress other women? Because women are constantly sizing each other up. Comparing themselves and everyone else in the room to THIS woman or THAT woman. We've got to stop doing this. We're our own worst enemies.
I'm making a proposal that we make a conscious effort to encourage our fellow sisters. Compliment her hair, her clothes, her children's good behavior. And, yes, even compliment her on her recently increased exercise regimen. Instead of peeking out the corner of your eye at the "super peppy bitch in spandex" who's running down your street, maybe roll down your window and cheer her on. You have no idea what her day has been like. Maybe this is her escape from a difficult reality. Encourage her. Give her a reason to keep going. I'm not saying that we should stop one-upping each other as we all love to do. I'm merely suggesting that we put a spin on it. The next time you're thinking about it, maybe you be the one doing the lifting.
I recently had the pleasure of a rare "girl's night out" with one of my best friends. We both changed outfits at least twice (because that's what we do) and upon making her decision, my friend announced that she was still reluctant to wear this outfit because she "didn't bring the right purse." Now, I (being a bear of very little brain) have no idea what kind of purse she would have needed. I happen to be one of those women that uses the same purse all year long (THE HORROR). Well, at least until my mother and sister hand me a new one and demand that I change it. But, I do know that for many women, the "correct" accessories are important. However, correct me if I'm wrong here, but we were going out to find men, right? (For her, I know that I'm married, people. For the record, that doesn't mean that I don't want to look hot, too). I don't know too many men who would have any idea what kind of purse she should have been carrying. And trust me, if you'd seen how great she looked you'd know that they probably wouldn't even have been able to tell me she was carrying a purse.
I also had a great conversation with another friend (school mom friend). We were talking about how overwhelming it can be to be a parent. She admitted that there are times that she could just cry because of the stress and pressure and chaos of life. I should have expected this I guess because we're all trying to do the same thing. Survive. However, this is one of those moms who comes to school every single day looking adorable and always has a smile. I seriously have NEVER seen this woman not smiling. And you know what I couldn't stop thinking about after that conversation? That in all the time I've known her and been awed by her, I've never actually told her. And why shouldn't I? The truth is we're all going a little crazy from time to time and who knows what a compliment such as that would have done for her day.
My neighbor/friend/fellow sweatpants guru, recently sent me a text message simply telling me that she was grateful for my family. She even added that I had very well-behaved children. Such a simple thing to do, and it changed my whole day. I vowed then and there to do things like that more often.
So, then, why do we do it? Why do we torture ourselves by pretending to be the "perfect woman"? To impress other women. And why do we have to impress other women? Because women are constantly sizing each other up. Comparing themselves and everyone else in the room to THIS woman or THAT woman. We've got to stop doing this. We're our own worst enemies.
I'm making a proposal that we make a conscious effort to encourage our fellow sisters. Compliment her hair, her clothes, her children's good behavior. And, yes, even compliment her on her recently increased exercise regimen. Instead of peeking out the corner of your eye at the "super peppy bitch in spandex" who's running down your street, maybe roll down your window and cheer her on. You have no idea what her day has been like. Maybe this is her escape from a difficult reality. Encourage her. Give her a reason to keep going. I'm not saying that we should stop one-upping each other as we all love to do. I'm merely suggesting that we put a spin on it. The next time you're thinking about it, maybe you be the one doing the lifting.
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