When I sense that my four year-old is feeling left out, jealous that the baby is getting most of my attention, we have a conversation which I hope reminds her how important she is.
"What was I before I met you, honey?"
"You were just a guy."
"That's right. And what did you make me?"
"I made you a daddy, daddy."
"Yes you did, sweetie. Thank you."
Just a guy, indeed. And, of course, I still am, though it will probably be about 15 years before my daughter understands that. She made a new friend in preschool. She doesn't know her name, though. She says she has asked her a couple times, but the girl is too quiet, and so, for now, she is "The Yellow-Haired Girl." My daughter wants to play with The Yellow-Haired Girl outside of school sometime. Yesterday she asked me, "Daddy, do you think the Yellow-Haired Girl would sleep in my bed?" And here entered the guy in daddy. I thought to myself:
"I was about 10 years older than you the first time I wondered that. But I have spent a lot of time since wondering the same thing. And the truth is, I don't know. I've never been very good at getting women with any colored hair into my bed."
Here is what I said, which pleased me enough:
"I don't know, honey. I don't know what kind of girl she is. Usually, though, you would have a play date or something first, before you had a sleepover."
Is that why my husband calls me "Sure thing Shannon"? We were supposed to have a playdate BEFORE sleepovers?
ReplyDeleteWell he bought the cow, eventhough the milk was apparantly free, so I'd say you're fine.
ReplyDeleteThe first exchange with your daughter nearly made me tear up, that's sweet.
ReplyDelete