My daughter turned 13 earlier this month and it’s like someone slipped her the Teenager Manual. Â And although I’m usually not much for book burning, in this case I’d definitely make an exception.
Because her attitude has changed.
For example, last year if I’d reminded her to put on her slippers and not walk around barefoot like a savage animal, she’d thank me for my wisdom. And now she’s all, “it’s not the end of the world, mommy.” Yes, she still calls me mommy. Â I guess she hasn’t gotten to the chapter that tells her to drop that yet.
But it’s kind of effective. Â Because I think she’s right! It’s not the end of the world! Huh. What do you know! and then I go on with my life until the next transgression.
Which comes shortly.
Because she’s eating on her bed. Â Which happens to be in her bedroom. Â And yes, I’m one of those parents who doesn’t allow that. Â I want all snacks at the dining room table, where I can have a chance with them. Â And when I tell her to stop eating on her bed, and she tells me that it’s not the end of the world.
Of course it isn’t.
And just like that, in less than a month of turning thirteen, my daughter has taught me that anything that she does that is short of a nuclear apocalypse is not worth arguing over.
God, I love her.
_______________________
Important notes!
I’ve been reading Wait in the Van for a while now and I laugh every single time.  I was thinking of keeping it from you so that when I clicked on the site wouldn’t be all READ and FOLDED weird, but  apparently I’m some sort of a saint.  Consider it an early birthday gift.
My friend/betrayer Peajaye wrote a children’s book Under the Covers! Both Young Ladrinka and I loved it.  It’s all rhyme-y and fun.  And it reminded me of The Little Prince and it reminded Young Ladrinka of monsters that are really cool.  Young Ladrinka is 10 and I’m >10, so it has inter-generational appeal.  So if you have any children in your life that you love, you should probably get them this book. And if you have any children in your life that you don’t like very much, you should still get the book but just read it near them, laughing and nodding to yourself but not letting them see it.  Click here to buy!  Oh, and my daughter hasn’t gotten around to it yet.  She’s engrossed in my autobiography, A Great and Terrible Beauty. (Affiliate link.)
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m actually first! And I can’t think of anything witty to say. Well, I guess it’s not the end of the world or anything…
That’s not so bad for a teenage girl. I was saving money to send mine away to some school on an island with no boys and, well, far from me but THAT I can handle!
Twitter: sellabitmum
July 19, 2011 at 11:28 pm
I have the mean mom food rule of keeping it in the dining room/kitchen also. It’s usually my husband I yell at the most for breaking that rule though.
Twitter: charismatickid
July 20, 2011 at 1:32 am
She’s right about the not needing to wear slippers thing. But if you gotta lay down the law about food, then you gotta lay down the law about food. Stomp yer foot down girl!
Twitter: Peajaye
July 20, 2011 at 1:38 am
You know what else isn’t the end of the world? Being grounded so you can’t go to the movies with your friends. Or not getting cute clothes to wear to school. Or having your computer privileges revoked.
Boy, it sure is easy being a dad when you’ve got no kids of your own.
Ah, the good old ‘it is not the end of the world’ line. God I miss using that one SO much. Think I might start using it again. What is that honey, your shirt isn’t ironed and you have no clean underwear. Well hardly the end of the world is it…
Twitter: asideofrice
July 20, 2011 at 7:22 am
If not wearing shoes in the house *was* the end of the world, I would have brought on the apocalypse years ago.
If she’s reading A Great and Terrible Beauty she will shortly be treating you like a queen. It’s all about a girl yearning for her mom, who she cruelly rejected right before her mom’s untimely death. She spends 3 books yearning for her mom! Score!!!!
Twitter: wendiaarons
July 20, 2011 at 10:14 am
She’s still adorable. Does she babysit?
Twitter: Mamabirddiaries
July 20, 2011 at 11:26 am
Now I even love her even more.
Why do you make her wear slippers you crazy woman?
Twitter: waitinthevan
July 20, 2011 at 6:17 pm
Seriously.
I think Marinka just called all of us savages, you guys.
::lights torch::
I always say “The sky isn’t falling and no one will die” when someone is freaking out over something that I think is dumb.
But I am semi crazy (hence the crazy pills) and then I start wondering if someone MIGHT die. Then I start contemplating that. And then I get all stress balls over it. And then I have to say a little mantra to get me through the thinking someone is now going to die and it will be my fault.
No one has died yet. Unsure about the sky falling. I live in Washington state. So it’s too foggy and gray to even see the sky. Yay for summer. Whoo.
And Wait In The Van is AWESOME. I have been reading her for a bit. I heart her. I heart you.
I heart eating snacks in my bed.
Twitter: mommyshorts
July 20, 2011 at 11:59 am
I just had a huge argument with my mom over the “keeping food in the kitchen” rule. Apparently, we are too lax with my daughter. But she’s 19 months and I live in an apartment where there nothing separates the kitchen from the living room! Nope. My mom still thinks I’m raising a savage animal who will eventually not be invited over to other people’s houses. Next time she says anything, I’m stealing your daughter’s line.
Twitter: Issascrazyworld
July 20, 2011 at 3:39 pm
People still own slippers? I am so confused now.
I love that she still calls you mommy. My nine year old rarely does anymore.
Twitter: gdrpempress
July 20, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Wait in the van is awesome.
Just like Motherhood in NYC.
So many funny, funny, FUNNY women.
Oh, and Great and Terrible Beauty is going to fix your daughter but good. She will miss you already.
So good that I’ll spell it phix.
Twitter: TheSuniverse
July 20, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Teenagers are the reason we need deep breathing.
Slow, steady, deep breathing.
Twitter: PhoenixRising73
July 20, 2011 at 5:05 pm
Wait until she gets to the chapter called “It Could Be Worse.” Pretty much anything you come up with: “It could be worse, Mom.” (said with eye roll) For example: “You FAILED algebra?” “It could be worse, Mom. I could have failed ALL my classes.” “You got drunk and passed out?” “It could be worse, Mom. I could have gotten drunk and gotten a tattoo.” “You robbed a bank?!” “It could be worse, Mom. I could have murdered baby seals.”
Oh, yes… you just wait….
Twitter: Glamamom
July 21, 2011 at 11:18 pm
Have you heard of Teen Mom? Using the bed as a dining room table sounds perfectly acceptable to me, given the alternative. Just want to throw that out there.
Twitter: ludakristen
August 1, 2011 at 10:25 pm
I can’t get over that she said ‘eyeroll’ instead of actually rolling her eyes. That is magical.