Tween-no-more? (#143/365)
Posted by: Devyl GyrlSoon, the tween will become a teen.
She’ll be hitting a milestone … one i plan to allow her to celebrate, if we can ever nail down a date for a party. She’s already hit so many, it makes my heart sing to think back on her life and progress to date. She’s an amazing child, and has been a blessing in my life. I have been lucky to be able to parent her, guide her. The way her whole face lights up when she smiles brings tears to my eyes. Soon, she will be a teenager.
Today, we had to get her some “long” shorts. I may ask BFF to hem them up a bit, but she seems to be letting these grow on her sense of style. Why “long” shorts? Last week, I didn’t pay attention to what she was wearing when she left the house with my BFF for softball practice. BFF called me to ask me to come out to the field & bring her son’s snacks for his team. When I got out there, I saw the girls practicing on their field and glanced over, trying to see around the long legged creature in front of me to find my daughter.
Except, the long legged creature WAS my daughter. She is not “tall,” per se. Her slender build, grace, and the very very very short shorts and spaghetti-strapped tank top she was wearing that day just made her seem really tall … and long … and … like she needed more clothes on in case there were any oglers in the crowd!
I have since had a small conversation with her, in which we laid out ground rules. Her shorts could no longer be that short: I don’t expect them to be fingertip length, or she won’t ever find anything to fit her (jrs are too big - even size 1, and all the shorts in the regular child-size departments are either long or short - not at fingertip length for her - we’ve tried on no less than eleventy billion [to borrow a phrase from my sweet friend @perpstu] in the last few days). I do expect them to be at least down to her 2nd knuckle, though. She has to have a t-shirt, sweater, or cover-up of some sort handy for when I say she needs more coverage, because while she doesn’t really have cleavage … she sometimes looks much older than her given years. Most importantly, she is to always - ALWAYS - remain the incredible person she is today.
I am one proud mama. One proud mama who is looking forward to watching her beautiful daughter navigate her teenage years. No amount of warning from anyone who has teenagers or has raised teenagers can make me believe that they are going to be awful years … there is nothing awful about watching a child learn, grow, and develop into a grown adult. There is nothing scary about helping guide them across the gray line that shadows the area between right and wrong. There is nothing worrisome about teaching them to drive, navigate public transportation, open a checking account, and pay bills.
There is only love, wonder, love, amazement, love, pride, and love.
When it comes down to it, there is only love.
In just a few more weeks, we shall embark on Phase IV of Life as a Child (Infant, Toddler, Elementary, Tween, Teen). In just a few more weeks, I shall smile with pride as my child crosses that imaginary line that eradicates the “W.”
Come along for the journey - I am sure it will be filled with beauty. And love.
xoxo
May 23rd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
aww, that was such a sweet post. I am glad you guys have such a great relationship
May 23rd, 2009 at 4:28 pm
awww i wish i developed in your uterus, lol.
May 23rd, 2009 at 4:52 pm
There is a lot of boundary pushing, but that is part of them growing up. Teen years aren’t that terrible. It is fun to watch how they change almost daily from kids into young women and men.
Hitting the big 13 is huge. Happy early B-day to Tween and to you!
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May 23rd, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Teen years aren’t usually quite as angsty as the media and movies would have you believe–as long as you have a good relationship and can set, and hold, firm boundaries. Sounds like you are on your way! I found that picking my battles carefully helped prevent the all-out war, and being able to weather hormone storms (theirs and mine!)required reserves of patience I hadn’t known I possessed!
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May 24th, 2009 at 4:22 am
I agree this is a beautiful post. You’ve raised a beautiful daughter.
May 26th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Tween is a beautiful girl - just like her mama - but I know what you mean about looking at your child and being hit with the sudden revelation that they aren’t babies anymore.
I am so excited for both of you to drop the W and move forward to the next phase of her life!
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