My Sarina is growing up.
A couple of her back to school looks she put together)
You know how they say that moms will cry when their little one starts Kindergarten or gets on the schoolbus for the first time? Well, actually did OK with that.
So why NOW, when Sarina is beginning THIRD grade, do I all of a sudden feel like boo-hooing into a tissue?
I'm not quite sure what bothered me most...
Was it her demeanor at the Elementary School for her Open House?
She held my hand through the parking lot, but once we got inside the school, she let go and took the lead.
Teachers and other students were stopping her in the hallway, carrying conversations with her while Mimi and I stood in the background like a celebrity's no-name boyfriend. (LOL- Think Forgetting Sarah Marshall)
Don't get me wrong, I wasn't bothered by it. I was IMPRESSED.
For the first time, Sarina was introducing ME to people instead of the opposite. She just looked so confident, so self assured, and spoke so intelligently...
Or was it when we went school shopping?
After the open house, we stopped by the outlet on the way home to get her some school clothes so we wouldn't have to fight the crowds this weekend.
There were some young girls we had JUST seen at her school go into a store that was suited more for High School girls than 3rd grade.
Sarina asked if we were going in that particular store like her friends.
...And that's when I realized I need to start having "talks" with her.
Girl Talks- like clothes, makeup, peer pressure, smoking, etc.
I told her,"Sarina, something VERY important for you to understand as a young girl (and when you grow up as well) is that however you dress is how people will treat you. Your appearance is the first thing people will see before you even open your mouth, and whatever you say AFTER that won't matter because they already have pre-judged you. So I'll let YOU decide, how do you want others to perceive you?"
And then I let her pick out her own school clothes. No supervision, no direction.
Once she was done, there was NOTHING I had to tell her to put back. She even put together some looks that even I wouldn't have thought of.
She came out of the dressing room and said, "Mom, do you think THIS is appropriate for a young lady?"
Young Lady... OMG, yes- she certainly was that. I just nodded my head, gave a thumbs up and had to turn away b/c my eyes starting watering!!
...It seems like just yesterday when she loved Carebears and Cinderella. Now she wants an IPOD, a bedroom that doesn't look like a baby, and shoes with a heel on them?
Where did the time go??
This is not a sad thing. I'm glad to say that she is molding into a young lady that I am very proud of. It's just tough to see your babies changing.
...I hope my little Mimi will STAY little for me a while longer!!
