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 .....
