Do you remember Middle School? I sure do! It was a time when you sure felt like wearing a bucket over your head most days. This kid did feel that way & then acted upon it:
Perfect at the end, but let me tell you about the beginning. I heard this party idea from someone - I don't know who (so if you know, please tell me) - and thought it sounded like a great idea. When I brought it up to Abby she said, "I have friends. I don't want to have a party with people I don't know." I was so surprised. So I let it go - yeah right! I would ask her every now and again how she felt about having a party with members from our church who are in other wards, but will be attending the same school. She was resistant until a week ago. Abby approached me and said, "Mom, I think that party would be a good idea." I think her orientation scared the heck out of her and she realized that knowing a few more people wouldn't hurt!
I'm all stoked thinking Abby was totally on board and all that jazz, but when it came down to delivering the invites. Whoa! That was another story. She was nervous, anxious, scared even! She did NOT want to take the invitation to their door. She did NOT want to meet anyone. So I delivered them with her at my side. It was a trying afternoon.
When we got home and the days following, I began to remember being in 6th, 7th, & 8th grade. They were HORRIBLE years. Oh my gosh! I could NOT have been more awkward. I could NOT have had weirder emotions. It was terrible! My heart softened for my sweet girl whom I wanted to strangle. I realized she probably had twenty thousand reasons for acting the way she did. So I told her this. I told her that I wasn't fair in expecting her to feel comfortable delivering those invitations and that I was sorry for being irritable with her. Then I explained that it was okay to NOT want to do something, but that she was older now and had to be able to tell me these things -- because, despite what I may say, I'm not psychic.
We have had a much nicer Abby since then.
I am proud to report that the party was a success. I wondered and I fretted, but it turned out great!
One episode down, 25,765 to go!
I'm all stoked thinking Abby was totally on board and all that jazz, but when it came down to delivering the invites. Whoa! That was another story. She was nervous, anxious, scared even! She did NOT want to take the invitation to their door. She did NOT want to meet anyone. So I delivered them with her at my side. It was a trying afternoon.
When we got home and the days following, I began to remember being in 6th, 7th, & 8th grade. They were HORRIBLE years. Oh my gosh! I could NOT have been more awkward. I could NOT have had weirder emotions. It was terrible! My heart softened for my sweet girl whom I wanted to strangle. I realized she probably had twenty thousand reasons for acting the way she did. So I told her this. I told her that I wasn't fair in expecting her to feel comfortable delivering those invitations and that I was sorry for being irritable with her. Then I explained that it was okay to NOT want to do something, but that she was older now and had to be able to tell me these things -- because, despite what I may say, I'm not psychic.
We have had a much nicer Abby since then.
I am proud to report that the party was a success. I wondered and I fretted, but it turned out great!
One episode down, 25,765 to go!
2 comments:
You know what's funny? When I think about having kids, THIS is the part I am excited for. I love preteens. Strange, huh?
Oh WOW! Why are those years so tough? I think a lot of the weirdness had to do with the fact that my parents were so weird and antisocial, and anti anything! You are making an effort, and I love that. You are such a good momma!
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