Oh, i can't ~wait~ for 12.

The Wee One has developed an Attitude.

Since I've come back from my Chicago trip, she has been Moody and Tearful and I'm not sure that it has anything to do with me, I think it's something at school.

Oh, how true it is that one of the horrible parts of parenting is watching your kids go through things and not being able to do much but hurt along with them.

Today she was stomping around after I reminded her that kicking at the dog was not an appropriate behavior (really just the ~threat~ of kicking, but still) and I just held out my arms and she came and sat on my lap.

I asked her if she wanted to talk and she shook her head and I could smell that unmistakable scent of elementary school emanating from her little body -- dirty hands and the metal from the jungle gym and sour milk from well-used lunchboxes. She put her sweaty arms around my neck and I asked her if she knew what was wrong, and she shook her head again. I made her look at me and I told her she could tell me anything and it would be ok, and she nodded, unwound her arms from my neck and trudged off to watch cartoons.

And this is FIVE. I shudder at the thought of twelve.

Comments

[blackbird]

Gosh - I thought she was 11.

[Tiger Lamb Girl]

What you did was just what she needed;).