You see this girl?
This is my Ren. She’s 14, but by this time next month she will be 15 and the proud new owner of a driving permit. She’s beautiful, funny, creative and stylish and, according to her guidance counselor whom we bumped into at Cheddar’s a few evenings back, a “sweet, sweet girl”. If there wasn’t a giant scar across the bottom of my stomach from where they cut her out of me a few years ago I wouldn’t believe she was mine. I’m not beautiful, stylish, nor particularly creative and it’s been so long since I’ve been called sweet that I’m not sure I ever was. But my daughter is all these things. Yes, I know I’m bragging and biased, but it’s my blog. One can brag and be biased on their own blog. Isn’t that why these are called vanity blogs?
My daughter recently had a rough couple weeks at school. I guess I shouldn’t be complaining. Things aren’t that bad. She has a good group of core friends and really likes, and is really liked by, her teachers. In fact, the rough spots have mainly come about because of a few who, though not in her social circle of friends, are ones she must contend with on a daily basis because of a shared love for a certain extracurricular activity.
Ren is, and always has been, a confident girl. With no bashful bone in her body she will gladly get up in front of people to perform, even when it requires much silliness - as in dressing like a bird and dancing to “Rockin’ Robin” as a 4th grader or dressing in pajamas and hair curlers for her school's homecoming. Likewise, she is not one bit shy about defending herself when needed. But, she can get worn down after a point. That’s okay, though. She always bounces back after a short, self-prescribed exile, usually to her room to listen to her radio or watch a few episodes of Reba or Seinfeld.
What upsets me as a mom is when the bullish behavior of a few girls during the school hours spills over to the bleachers during games and gets regurgitated out of the mouths of grown-ups. I shouldn’t really say it upsets me. Upset is too light a word. In truth, it flat out angers me. If an adult wants to spew venom about another adult within earshot of said adult, that’s one thing. But to run down a child, and know you are doing so loud enough to be heard, is quite another. What kind of person does that? Okay, that’s really a rhetorical question. I know exactly what kind of person does that and to call them such on this public forum would be tacky, so I won’t.
I will simply say that sometimes
This is my Ren. She’s 14, but by this time next month she will be 15 and the proud new owner of a driving permit. She’s beautiful, funny, creative and stylish and, according to her guidance counselor whom we bumped into at Cheddar’s a few evenings back, a “sweet, sweet girl”. If there wasn’t a giant scar across the bottom of my stomach from where they cut her out of me a few years ago I wouldn’t believe she was mine. I’m not beautiful, stylish, nor particularly creative and it’s been so long since I’ve been called sweet that I’m not sure I ever was. But my daughter is all these things. Yes, I know I’m bragging and biased, but it’s my blog. One can brag and be biased on their own blog. Isn’t that why these are called vanity blogs?
My daughter recently had a rough couple weeks at school. I guess I shouldn’t be complaining. Things aren’t that bad. She has a good group of core friends and really likes, and is really liked by, her teachers. In fact, the rough spots have mainly come about because of a few who, though not in her social circle of friends, are ones she must contend with on a daily basis because of a shared love for a certain extracurricular activity.
Ren is, and always has been, a confident girl. With no bashful bone in her body she will gladly get up in front of people to perform, even when it requires much silliness - as in dressing like a bird and dancing to “Rockin’ Robin” as a 4th grader or dressing in pajamas and hair curlers for her school's homecoming. Likewise, she is not one bit shy about defending herself when needed. But, she can get worn down after a point. That’s okay, though. She always bounces back after a short, self-prescribed exile, usually to her room to listen to her radio or watch a few episodes of Reba or Seinfeld.
What upsets me as a mom is when the bullish behavior of a few girls during the school hours spills over to the bleachers during games and gets regurgitated out of the mouths of grown-ups. I shouldn’t really say it upsets me. Upset is too light a word. In truth, it flat out angers me. If an adult wants to spew venom about another adult within earshot of said adult, that’s one thing. But to run down a child, and know you are doing so loud enough to be heard, is quite another. What kind of person does that? Okay, that’s really a rhetorical question. I know exactly what kind of person does that and to call them such on this public forum would be tacky, so I won’t.
I will simply say that sometimes
the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
BREAKING NEWS>>>THIS JUST IN (not really, but kinda)>>>John-Heath had a really good day at school and came home the proud owner of a good note from his teacher. Of course, then he was just terrible at a volleyball game and church. We'll take our victories anywhere we can get them.
3 comments:
The teenage years can be rotten. I hope your daughter pulls through with an even stronger confidence in herself. I tell my kids if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all....but you know sometimes it seems like it would feel soooooo good to say something so "un-nice" to some "suppose-to-be-adults" people.
It sounds like you have raised her right. Though those situations are never easy, she will be stronger in the long run. She is beautiful, and no amount of negative comments can change that if she responds correctly and lets the comments just funnel on out.
You two are both sooo right. Thanks. Of course, there are times when I want to say "just ball your fist up and sock her one." But I shall refrain as best I can from giving such bad advice.
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