Lately I’ve noticed “changes” in my daughter both physically and emotionally. Needless to say, she’s physically growing at a rate that I have learned to accept but don’t like! Emotionally I figure she’s discovering herself but I thought it would be sort of a quick all-in-one transition. I honestly don’t remember going through this bit-by-bit transition myself.
Recently she’s been paying attention to her appearance so recently I kindly reminded her to brush all the way through her hair, even the back and to make sure to get the knots out. She’s never really been interested in doing her own hair but would often come to me, brush on hand, and ask for help with the back. Lately this hasn’t been the case. As I was reminding her to properly brush her hair she came out of the bathroom and gave me “that” look. You know the one with the attitude, the one where the invisible bubble forms above her head like in comics, which in my case read “Whatever Mom”. When she finished pretending to properly brush her hair she stormed out of the bathroom down the hall towards her bedroom saying “I’ll tuck myself in tonight” and closed her door. I gave her, and myself, a few minutes before getting up to go and check on her. When I opened her door she hid her face in the pillow and wouldn’t look at me. I calmly said goodnight to her and closed her door. About 10 minutes later I could her her whimpering from her bedroom. Again I got up and walked into her room and when I opened her door she was crying. I walked over to her and wrapped my arms tightly around her and simply said “Don’t cry my love, tell me what’s wrong” She looked at me with those big beautiful eyes and said “I’m sorry mama that I was rude to you” I hugged her even tighter thinking here’s my daughter, one minute this independent pre “Pre Teen” and the next still very much my baby. Nobody ever told me about these pre “Pre Teen” years and sometimes I find them tough. The attitude develops, the physical changes occur, and the ever increasing independence continues. I think the hardest part has been letting go of my baby. Don’t get me wrong I love watching her grow as a person but sometimes I wish she would stay young forever.
Lynne22, I have the same issues with my daughter. In one way, it’s so cute to see them coming to terms with themselves as individuals, but in another way I remember all too well how hard those years were so I cringe at what I know she’s just beginning to go through with friends, peer pressure, popularity contests, etc.
OMG. I have been feeling the same way about my “tween/pre-teen” son. Just tonight we were out skipping with the neighbours when all of the sudden I noticed one of the girls was flirting with him…and he was flirting back! When did that happen? And it is just the beginning. He has started with the “too cool” thing but at night he often needs his mommy more than ever.