It's 9am. Do you know where your Howler is?
Door's open (unlike my eyes); Spongebob is on the TV (of course, he's always on TV); and I do not know where my Howler is.
I holler her name.
No response. My eyes are fully open, and no, I did not miss seeing her.
I step onto the front porch. Without my glasses, I can still make out that the Howler's favorite (and non-crazy) neighbor's car is home...which means that this neighbor is also home.
Stuffing my feet into shoes (and being ever grateful that I sleep in shorts and a tee, not some fru-fru nightie) I head that direction.
Guess who woke up, noticed the car (and, as stated before, her favoritest neighbor EVER) is home, and (surprise) decided to go visit.
Yeppers. One Howler Monkey Alarm Clock is on it's way.
Said neighbor (no nick yet, she'll be disappointed) overslept...and the Howler knows where she keeps the key.
I'm still giggling at the image of the Howler, trouping off to roust the calvary in her skivvies and her teeshirt-cum-nightgown.
(I should also mention that she ducked out past me at the door, said, "Hey Mommy. See you at home later." and then promptly went to visit another neighbor whom she noticed was up with her front door open. I had to haul her butt home from there, too.)
That's my girl--keeping the neighbors on their toes too.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Good To Know
Well, I've been starting to read on the traumas and dramas of pre-teen and teenage girls. I started with Reviving Ophelia, mostly because of the snap-out I had over Blondie. I knew (from my own experience as a pre-teen/teen) that the name calling crap and the deliberate singling out of my baby girl for derision and scorn was NOT a good thing, and that at 6, it's supposed to be too early for that kind of crap.
I read. I was disturbed anew by what I already knew--our culture does not like women. I was heartened that a lot of what I believe about raising a daughter is right. Empowering her to trust herself, and trying to protect who she is, while difficult, will be well worth it.
I've also learned that, when confronted with real-life anger and the possibility of banishment still has the power to cow even the nastiest of 6 year olds. But now, we have to be on guard that the Howler doesn't turn to bullying Blondie (although, a small dose of her own medicine is, in my evil mom opinion, healthy for her.)
But, what I really did learn was that I am now the Howler's most important parent. She wants me in the background. She wants my attention. She wants me. She tells me, sincerely and honestly, that she loves me about 5 times a day. For no reason whatsoever.
Apparently, my snitch pitching at Blondie showed the Howler how very important she is to me. My righteous anger on her behalf, and my 3 days of constantly saying, "You deserve to be treated better!" got through.
Go figure.
She's more self-confident. The whining which was all-but constant has thinned, at least a little. She follows my rules better now. And she wants to hold my hand a lot.
It's nice, mostly, although sometimes, I do feel stiffled from her attentions.
It doesn't even hurt my feelings that she'd rather be down the street, under the neighbor's feet--the Howler has a new Auntie in this neighbor. An Auntie who paints her fingernails and toenails, braids her hair. Hugs her. Lets her run her dog ragged. And who understands our edict against Bratz dolls, our disgust at MTV, and who doesn't think it's cute to see (and hear) 6 year olds singing little ditties about how "Doncha wish yer girlfriend was HOT like me."
The Howler is a spectacular little girl--sensitive, loving, vibrant, noisy...and totally at home in her world.
I read. I was disturbed anew by what I already knew--our culture does not like women. I was heartened that a lot of what I believe about raising a daughter is right. Empowering her to trust herself, and trying to protect who she is, while difficult, will be well worth it.
I've also learned that, when confronted with real-life anger and the possibility of banishment still has the power to cow even the nastiest of 6 year olds. But now, we have to be on guard that the Howler doesn't turn to bullying Blondie (although, a small dose of her own medicine is, in my evil mom opinion, healthy for her.)
But, what I really did learn was that I am now the Howler's most important parent. She wants me in the background. She wants my attention. She wants me. She tells me, sincerely and honestly, that she loves me about 5 times a day. For no reason whatsoever.
Apparently, my snitch pitching at Blondie showed the Howler how very important she is to me. My righteous anger on her behalf, and my 3 days of constantly saying, "You deserve to be treated better!" got through.
Go figure.
She's more self-confident. The whining which was all-but constant has thinned, at least a little. She follows my rules better now. And she wants to hold my hand a lot.
It's nice, mostly, although sometimes, I do feel stiffled from her attentions.
It doesn't even hurt my feelings that she'd rather be down the street, under the neighbor's feet--the Howler has a new Auntie in this neighbor. An Auntie who paints her fingernails and toenails, braids her hair. Hugs her. Lets her run her dog ragged. And who understands our edict against Bratz dolls, our disgust at MTV, and who doesn't think it's cute to see (and hear) 6 year olds singing little ditties about how "Doncha wish yer girlfriend was HOT like me."
The Howler is a spectacular little girl--sensitive, loving, vibrant, noisy...and totally at home in her world.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Do Like The Monkeys Do
So, this summer has NOT been what we expected--any of us. Except maybe the Howler (her expectations are generally along the lines of "someone to play with; stay up past bedtime; go swimming.)
Ah, and then just now, the phone rings. It's my brother. His oldest has head lice. Great. Just great. Does he realize (pardon me for being a self-centered whiner right now) the sheer VOLUME of people I will have to notify, should the Howler be hosting the little buggers?
Hmmm. Let's see: Every blessed one of the neighbors. Day Care. Families at church.
Along with the prospect of having to inspect our own heads, much like monkeys actually do.
*sigh*
Plus, telling people at work.
(btw, *I* know that headlice are not a "dirty" thing, BUT there's still the EWWW Factor to consider.)
Ah, and then just now, the phone rings. It's my brother. His oldest has head lice. Great. Just great. Does he realize (pardon me for being a self-centered whiner right now) the sheer VOLUME of people I will have to notify, should the Howler be hosting the little buggers?
Hmmm. Let's see: Every blessed one of the neighbors. Day Care. Families at church.
Along with the prospect of having to inspect our own heads, much like monkeys actually do.
*sigh*
Plus, telling people at work.
(btw, *I* know that headlice are not a "dirty" thing, BUT there's still the EWWW Factor to consider.)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
OPD
Kevin has now added OPD to his list of pet peeves:
Other People's Dogs.
The Howler has a new dog--she just borrows the neighbor's dog, and runs her fat little legs off (the dog's, duh.)
The dog actually looks overwhelmed when she sees the Howler coming. lol.
I love that little girl! (and so does the neighbor.)
Other People's Dogs.
The Howler has a new dog--she just borrows the neighbor's dog, and runs her fat little legs off (the dog's, duh.)
The dog actually looks overwhelmed when she sees the Howler coming. lol.
I love that little girl! (and so does the neighbor.)
On the Plus Side...
The Howler now worships me.
We've been careful, since the day of my Blondie Blow Up, to not let the Howler become the bully. And she still has rules.
But Blondie, at least when she knows we're listening (or watching) has been very nice. Which surprises me. No adult has commented (I believe the adults in her life are relieved that they don't have to deal with it anymore--not that they were really dealing with it before.)
Anyway, the Howler now believes that I should be in constant attendance...she does not want to me to go anywhere, or do anything without her. Unless there are kids to play with, but even then, I'm expected to stay home, within easy reach, in case of emergency.
And remarkably enough, with Blondie on her best non-mean behavior, doesn't happen anymore.
Go figure--snapping out on a 6 year old earns me the respect and love of my 6 year old. (But I notice she's standing up for what she wants a lot more often, with all the kids, not just Blondie.)
Now, if I could just pry her off of me...
We've been careful, since the day of my Blondie Blow Up, to not let the Howler become the bully. And she still has rules.
But Blondie, at least when she knows we're listening (or watching) has been very nice. Which surprises me. No adult has commented (I believe the adults in her life are relieved that they don't have to deal with it anymore--not that they were really dealing with it before.)
Anyway, the Howler now believes that I should be in constant attendance...she does not want to me to go anywhere, or do anything without her. Unless there are kids to play with, but even then, I'm expected to stay home, within easy reach, in case of emergency.
And remarkably enough, with Blondie on her best non-mean behavior, doesn't happen anymore.
Go figure--snapping out on a 6 year old earns me the respect and love of my 6 year old. (But I notice she's standing up for what she wants a lot more often, with all the kids, not just Blondie.)
Now, if I could just pry her off of me...
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