I would like to take this opportunity to point out that arranged marriages only have about an 8% failure rate compared to most western marriages' 50-60%. And I happen to have 3 boys, two of whom may be younger - but are totally enraptured by her. (Obviously for good reason.)
Welcome to the club of OH MY GOD WHERE DID MY BABY GO AND WHO IS THIS TEENAGER!? I've been a member since 8/8 and can say with some certainty that it won't get easier. *sigh*
Please tell Savannah that she looks LOVELY for me. :)
I don't know. My husband has advocated maybe not feeding the kids? -But I thought that was a little severe. Then he said maybe we should start tying concrete blocks on their heads to slow the growth? -But again, I didn't think that was such a hot idea, I mean, as often as they walk into things, our house would be wrecked!
Our last choice would be to feed them a steady diet of caffeine and cigarettes to permanently stunt their development, but you know - I'm a firm believer that 6 is too young for tabacco products, even in the South. :-p
In all seriousness, though, it's heartbreaking how fast they grow up. I had babies just yesterday, and I feel like tomorrow I'm going to be a grandmother. I have to try to pack in all the knowledge and hope that I have for them in just a few hours and hope for the best. (That's how it feels, anyway.)
You know, I always am shocked when I see young girls looking like young ladies--but I did something this weekend that put things in perspective. I pulled out the home movies.
Here I was expecting this flat chested, chubby kid to look back at me and then I hit the Florida video and the young woman I was at 14--was this stacked critter with the sunstreaked hair down to her behind, that I barely recognized myself. How they ever let me out of the house is beyond me (ha! I know that sounds like I'm full of it--but I'm only full of it for the person I was then. And, then, I wasn't full of it at all, if any of that makes sense). Anyway, I kind of gave a little groan for my own parents who had to deal with the womanafication of moi.
So, I sympathize but have a suggestion. Pull out a picture of yourself at her age! It's shocking!
I am a recovering bulemic and though I haven't purged in many, many years I still suffer terribly from body image issues. I am the heaviest I have ever been and last week when I was going through pictures for Savannah's birthday slide show I saw several of me and I was like, "Wait, I thought I was fat then...I wasn't fat." And I remarked to Keith I wish I had enjoyed what I had then instead of complaining about it because now I have gained so much weight and I would give almost anything to look like that again.
I just don't think women have a good perception of their own bodies. I do tell her everyday she is beautiful and perfect just the way she is.
Thank you, by the way, for such a thoughtful comment.
If you were half as pretty on the outside then as you are on the inside now, I am sure you were a stunningly gorgeous looker!
Well, thanks for the compliment but--you're right. Too many women have this distorted view of themselves and I always thought I needed to lose just a "bit more" even when I had nothing to lose.
And, well, now--I do (at least 40 pounds to get back in the pleasantly plump category). But, you know, that doesn't happen overnight and what can you do? I'm not postponing anything anymore, if I can help it.
But, as a non-parent, and just an outside observer, girls today have it even worse than in my time and, probably, yours. And you're doing the right thing. They are still going to be influenced by friends and all the stuff surrounding them but knowing that mom and dad think they are beautiful and lovely really, deep down, means the most, I think. So, you go, Mom!
You're doing a great job. And I saw your pictures in that slide show. You're every bit as lovely as I expected. Inside and out.
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and this is gabesaunt, in case your were all who?
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I love your new name!
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And thanks! <3
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Shoes are an issue.
She has these really long...I mean really long (currently size 9.5) but incredibly thin feet. Think like, canoes...yeah, she has canoe feet.
No way was she walking in heels and even these flats kept flying off her feet. She was shoeless before dessert.
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I would like to take this opportunity to point out that arranged marriages only have about an 8% failure rate compared to most western marriages' 50-60%. And I happen to have 3 boys, two of whom may be younger - but are totally enraptured by her. (Obviously for good reason.)
Welcome to the club of OH MY GOD WHERE DID MY BABY GO AND WHO IS THIS TEENAGER!? I've been a member since 8/8 and can say with some certainty that it won't get easier. *sigh*
Please tell Savannah that she looks LOVELY for me. :)
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OH MY GOD WHERE DID MY BABY GO AND WHO IS THIS TEENAGER!?
Yeah...it's been sort of like a recurring shock lately. How did this happen?
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Our last choice would be to feed them a steady diet of caffeine and cigarettes to permanently stunt their development, but you know - I'm a firm believer that 6 is too young for tabacco products, even in the South. :-p
In all seriousness, though, it's heartbreaking how fast they grow up. I had babies just yesterday, and I feel like tomorrow I'm going to be a grandmother. I have to try to pack in all the knowledge and hope that I have for them in just a few hours and hope for the best. (That's how it feels, anyway.)
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(The comment has been removed)
As my very wise husband said the day she was born, "There is plenty of time for her to have sex after I'm dead."
I am very proud.
Love you, too.
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Here I was expecting this flat chested, chubby kid to look back at me and then I hit the Florida video and the young woman I was at 14--was this stacked critter with the sunstreaked hair down to her behind, that I barely recognized myself. How they ever let me out of the house is beyond me (ha! I know that sounds like I'm full of it--but I'm only full of it for the person I was then. And, then, I wasn't full of it at all, if any of that makes sense). Anyway, I kind of gave a little groan for my own parents who had to deal with the womanafication of moi.
So, I sympathize but have a suggestion. Pull out a picture of yourself at her age! It's shocking!
And Savannah, as always, looks lovely.
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I just don't think women have a good perception of their own bodies. I do tell her everyday she is beautiful and perfect just the way she is.
Thank you, by the way, for such a thoughtful comment.
If you were half as pretty on the outside then as you are on the inside now, I am sure you were a stunningly gorgeous looker!
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And, well, now--I do (at least 40 pounds to get back in the pleasantly plump category). But, you know, that doesn't happen overnight and what can you do? I'm not postponing anything anymore, if I can help it.
But, as a non-parent, and just an outside observer, girls today have it even worse than in my time and, probably, yours. And you're doing the right thing. They are still going to be influenced by friends and all the stuff surrounding them but knowing that mom and dad think they are beautiful and lovely really, deep down, means the most, I think. So, you go, Mom!
You're doing a great job. And I saw your pictures in that slide show. You're every bit as lovely as I expected. Inside and out.
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