I Am Showing Her How to Be a Girl

Sometimes I wonder that since Jane is so girly and I am not, where she is figuring out how to be a girl.  She seems to be happy with her girly self and I try to embrace it (as best I can).  As I wrote about before, she loves to pick out her clothes and pretend to do girl stuff like go shopping.  She also likes all things princess, baby doll, pink & purple, and just about anything else that falls under this "girl" category.

Lately, she has been carrying around a purse.  Everywhere.  While playing in the backyard with Daddy, she suddenly had to stop and run onto the deck, looking for her purse.  "Where are you going?" he asked.  "I'm just putting on some lipstick," she yelled back.

Where does she get this from?  I know I am not showing her this stuff, but she just knows.  Sort of like how boys can turn anything into a weapon and start up a battle.  They seem to be born with "boy" and "girl" knowledge.

After Scott's first soccer practice, I was racing around at home trying to get things in order for bed.  It was late and I was mad that Matt hadn't set stuff up before he went out swimming.  "If I had been home, I would have turned on the lights, put out pajamas, fixed up toothbrushes, before I went out!" I murmured as I stomped around putting things in order. 

Scott knew I was mad, offered to help, and generally felt badly for me.  Jane didn't seem to notice and ran around oblivious to my complaints.

After the baths, I set up Jane's nebulizer.  She refused to sit and take the medicine.  I was already frazzled and desperately trying to get both kids to sleep.  A big fight ensued where I ended up yelling at her and chasing her into my room.  I grabbed her arm and forced her back into her room and made her take the medicine.

Once she calmed down and I was tucking her into bed, I apologized.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you.  I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings."

"You hurt my arm."  She held up her arm as evidence.

"That was an accident.  If you hadn't run away I wouldn't have grabbed you." 

I tried again, "I'm sorry."

"Hmmp," she turned her head and looked away.

Incredulously, I tried one more time, "I'm sorry I hurt your arm."

Silence.

"OK, well, I love you.  Goodnight."

"Yeah, I love you too," she mumbled and turned away.

She wasn't going to let me off the hook!  Whenever I apologize to Scott he immediately says he's sorry, too and we hug it out.  I guess she was paying attention to all my stomping around and complaining after all.  So sorry to my future son-in-law.  Turns out, she is learning something about being a girl from me and it's not the pretty part.

Comments

[Laura]

I LOVE that she is a girly-girl ;)

[Lori at Spinning Yellow]

Jenn -
Sadly, I think she is learning from me. Also, perhaps b/c we tend to be weaker physically, we (women) adapt by becoming bitchy.

Kristen -
Oh, yes, she shows me much love all the time and I don't doubt we will be close friends when she is older. Right now, though, she is just starting to exert her independence.

[Jenn]

Ah yes, how young they learn that part of being girls.

Why is that?

[kristen]

I know there are all sorts of sayings about mothers and daughters, but in the end, when it really matters, my mom is my go-to gal. Despite all the other stuff, all the guilt she throws your way, I'm willing to bet Jane feels the same about you.

[Lori at Spinning Yellow]

Niksmom - it's ok, you can laugh, you have a sweet boy!

Delilah - Easier? I wish, but I fear that with her, it will probably get worse. What is it with mothers and daughters anyway?

[delilah]

Oh, we have many moments like this in our house too. It does get better, right?

[Niksmom]

Soooo sorry but this made me crack up! She could've been eavesdropping on ME when I get pissy (under my breath of course!)about something Niksdad did/didn't do. LOL