I don't feel old enough to have children. In fact, now that I have a middle school-aged child, I feel more like a middle schooler myself.
It's funny how, as parents, we tend to enjoy the same things our kids do as they grow up. When Gabby was a toddler my favorite TV show was Little Bear and my favorite movie was Babe. I spent a lot of time on the floor, like she did, and I rekindled my love of Pop Tarts. As the kids grew, I welcomed the world of Spongebob with open arms and enjoyed shooting hoops with them in the driveway.
Now that Gabby is in middle school, it's all about music, friends, fun jewelry and make-up~and of course, boys. I've already chosen my boy, but I can wear fun jewelry with the best of them. And it's fun to watch them giggle over their possibilities of BFs.
Yesterday, Gabby had three of her friends over and they eventually found themselves in a wrestling match with one main goal: to try and obtain one of their cell phones that had a juicy text message on it from a boy they all had crushes on. I had to laugh, because I remember doing the same thing, only instead of a text on a cell phone, it was a college-ruled lined piece of paper folded neatly into a triangular shape with the tucked-in flap and the words "open here" on it next to an arrow. Technology. The paper would usually end up torn and battered past the point of being able to read the coveted boy chicken scratch.
When they're over I start saying words such as "like" and "totally." They just come out, like they have a magical key that opens those middle school files in my brain. I like to hang out with them and get into their heads. It's very amusing.
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But really, even when I hang out with my "grown-up" friends I still think that we more closely resemble those middle school girls than any group my mom would have associated with when I still lived with my parents. Maybe things are different today than they were twenty years ago. Are people aging more slowly? Or is there just a whole new attitude? I'm not sure, but I do know that there's nothing like girl time, whether it's seeing my daughter with her friends, or enjoying time with my own posse. There's nothing like it.
Here's to the girls in my life, both young and old (er). Thanks for enriching my life!
8 comments:
Yeah, I've realized that I tend to get into whatever the kids are into. I've really enjoyed the big girls getting older so we can enjoy shopping, hairstyles, and such together.
You are the perfect mom of a middle schooler. I have now dubbed you my mentor since I am still a little way away from it and you have already given me words of wisdom.
So far you are:
Middle School Mentor Mom (MSMM)
Amusement Ride Coach (ARC)
Technogeek 2 (TG2)
Would you please consider changing your signature to include the intials of your new titles?
Amen! And soon I will be one of four in our household. Poor Mike...but somehow I imagine they will be golfing, hunting and playing baseball as much as all the girl stuff. It will be great!
I think we'll always be middle school girls at heart :)
Love, Your Old(er)Friend Julz
"Babe" was and still is one of my all-time favorite movies. And I love how you recall your teen years so clearly. I had totally forgotten about the triangle shaped notes with the "open here"....I loved those!!!
I loved this post because I agree with every word. My husband is a huge jokester, and he's always pulling pranks on me and the kids. And so many times we've said,"do you think our parents ever acted this way?" We still feel like we're in high school!
Ten hours and fourty-nine minutes till my daughter's volleyball career debut!
Uh, I still remember how to fold those notes...
And I agree with LizzyG, Babe is still one of my favorites, in fact, it is one of Kamryn's favorites.
Thanks for taking me "back in time". How fun and I am looking forward to those years with Kamryn.
Perfectly said & Fussy approved!
It is fun to be a "kid" again with Allyson & Thomas. I am looking forward to years ahead to share with them.
~Danielle :)
Everytime I read about you and Gabby I dread Sarah entering the middle school years. I was so uncool and I always will be. Do you think God took that into consideration when he placed Sarah in my life? Will she change me or will I drag her down? Whatever the case you better know right now you will be getting lots of phone calls from me in about 7 years.
Love, love, love how you and Gabby connect. What an absolute gift from God.
I still remember the time I dropped her off at school. Although I can't remember the content of our conversation she assured me I was a "cool" mom. She is so sweet and I almost believed her.
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