Had another interesting conversation with my 10-year-old daughter today.
Me, brightly: Hey! Would you like to come to the park with me so I can walk? Or do you want me to wait for Dad to get home?
Her, grumpily: Wait for Dad to get home, please. I'm really tired.
Me, slightly disappointed (the weather today was perfect): Ok. ... I guess you just don't want me to get skinny do you?
Her, kinda whiny: I'm just really tired.... Besides, I like you the way you are. And. I read this book. It was about a boy. His mom was about your size -- and I'm not saying you are big or anything like that. But when he cuddled with her, it felt really nice. But after she went on a diet and lost all kinds of weight, well it just didn't feel the same. His mom's hugs just weren't as good any more. And I don't want that to happen to you and me.
Me: .... (What the heck am I supposed to say to that?)
So I thought about this for a minute. And smiled to myself.
Yes. This IS sort of like my husband telling me a few years ago, "I don't want a skinny wife. I want YOU!"
But a little nicer. And a little cuter because it's from a 10-year-old and not a grown man who should be able to think faster.
So I asked my oh-so imaginative daughter: What is the name of this book? I'd really like to read it.
Her, thinking fast: I don't remember. Maybe it was a picture book or something.
Or maybe it's a book that needs to be written .....
Me, brightly: Hey! Would you like to come to the park with me so I can walk? Or do you want me to wait for Dad to get home?
Her, grumpily: Wait for Dad to get home, please. I'm really tired.
Me, slightly disappointed (the weather today was perfect): Ok. ... I guess you just don't want me to get skinny do you?
Her, kinda whiny: I'm just really tired.... Besides, I like you the way you are. And. I read this book. It was about a boy. His mom was about your size -- and I'm not saying you are big or anything like that. But when he cuddled with her, it felt really nice. But after she went on a diet and lost all kinds of weight, well it just didn't feel the same. His mom's hugs just weren't as good any more. And I don't want that to happen to you and me.
Me: .... (What the heck am I supposed to say to that?)
So I thought about this for a minute. And smiled to myself.
Yes. This IS sort of like my husband telling me a few years ago, "I don't want a skinny wife. I want YOU!"
But a little nicer. And a little cuter because it's from a 10-year-old and not a grown man who should be able to think faster.
So I asked my oh-so imaginative daughter: What is the name of this book? I'd really like to read it.
Her, thinking fast: I don't remember. Maybe it was a picture book or something.
Or maybe it's a book that needs to be written .....
I love this one Lori, the only thing our children care about is a good hug. My daughter told me the other day that she likes to wear my clothes and sleep in my bed because they smell like me.
ReplyDeleteLora Leigh sets her alarm clock 30 minutes early just so she can come get into bed with me after Marty gets up. He used to put her in bed with me in the morning when she was a baby. It's "our" time, and she's NOT giving it up. Neither am I....
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing -- and for reading!