One of the reasons I was none too thrilled about having a daughter of my own was "girl drama". Any girl who has ever been through high school or anyone who has ever raised a daughter of their own will know exactly what I am talking about.
Now my daughter, well, she's the "I want what I want and I want it now" and the "If i ain't happy ain't nobody happy" sort of a girl. Maybe that's a bit harsh, she's not really that bad. But she definitely has her ideas about what she wants and isn't afraid to let you know it at deafening decibels.
My mind has certainly been changed about raising a daughter. I love my daughter and couldn't imagine life without her. I have gotten into way more of the girly stuff than I ever thought I would. Now I'm all about the cute shoes, headbands, dresses. I love to watch her play with her baby doll. Even so, there is always this dark cloud looming overhead. The cloud that you try to forget about. The girl drama cloud. I scarcely think of it anymore because I thought it was so many years down the road.
This past weekend, my sister-in-law and I were at a bridal shower. The bride-to-be commented on her niece's choice of shoes, saying that she obviously picked out her own shoes. And it was obvious. She was wearing a Dora t-shirt, jean Capris, and black dress shoes that click-clacked as she walked. My SIL and I were talking about the dilemma. You don't want to stifle your child's creativity, but at the same time you don't want everyone to think you can't dress your own kid. Then again, why do you care what other people think? See the dilemma? But, I thought, I had a couple of years before my daughter insisted on this outfit or that, these shoes or those.
Then the other day we were getting ready to go out and help my husband and son wash our cars. I grabbed her pink Jumping Beans sandals. These are her play sandals. They are a nice shade of pink but other than that not much to look at. Just your everyday Velcro-on sandal.
But as soon as I reached for her play sandals, she immediately starts screeching, yes, screeching, and pointing at something else. I look in the direction she is pointing. She's pointing at a different pair of sandals. These are cute flip-flops with cherries printed on the flip-flop and pink sparkly straps. I asked her if she wants those ones. She nods. I sigh. Then I try to reason with her (why, I don't know. You can't reason with a toddler). I tell her that these ones don't stay on as well and so they aren't as good to play in.
As you might imagine, she wanted what she wanted and wasn't going to be happy otherwise. Then I asked her, "Why do you like those? Because they are pretty?". She gives a big, over exaggerated nod, of which she is famous for. And so it begins, I thought to myself. I put the "pretty" sandals on her feet. As soon as she stood up she got the biggest grin on her face and began to giggle and stomp her feet. She was beyond excited.
When I told Anthony about the "girl drama", I believe his exact words were, "O geez". My sentiments exactly.
I will note that while playing outside her shoes did come off several times, her feet got dirty, and she was very unhappy, just like I tried to tell her. But sometimes they have to learn for themselves. And learn she did. Two days later, she hasn't asked to play in them since.
While I'm not too thrilled about the ensuing "drama", at the same time, it's fun to see her blossoming personality, her ever-changing likes and dislikes, and her budding independent, adventurous spirit. My, oh my, will she be a handful.
Sincerely,
The-No-More-Drama-Mama
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