My daughter has a loose tooth. It’s her first one and that makes it a momentous event in our house.
It happened two nights ago while she was eating a pear. She came up to me complaining that every time she took a bite her tooth hurt. I checked it out and discovered the jiggley tooth. As soon as I informed her that her tooth was loose, she started bouncing and hopping around the room excitedly. She promptly called her grandma to tell her the news, and at the end of the conversation said that she was going to go the bathroom to wiggle her tooth some more. After she hung up she did just that, but not before she went up to the cat and dog, respectively, to show off the special event that was her loose tooth. This is so thrilling to her because she’s been anticipating it for so long. She’s watched her brother and, more recently her friend, lose several teeth. She’s been asking me, “When will it be MY turn?” And now her turn has come.
I’m very happy for her, and I’m grateful to witness such abandoned delight. It seems silly to be so happy over a loose tooth, but that’s what makes it even more beautifully heart wrenching. To see the pure joy in my child’s eyes over a seemingly simple event is as close a person can get to authentic emotion. I am savouring these moments because soon enough they will be lost to the culture of “cool” during those teenage years.
I’m seeing some of my friends go through disconnect with their teenagers, and I almost feel like we’re in a kind of count down mode. Four years, eleven months, and sixteen days until my son is thirteen and he no longer runs to me for hugs and snuggles. Five years, four months, and sixteen days until my daughter finds the mere idea of running around the room ecstatically over a loose tooth mortifyingly embarrassing. I can hope that it won’t happen with my teenagers. I will hope.
5 comments:
Hi Debbie!
Here in Germany is it a old tradition,when your child lost her first tooth than come over night the "Fairy of tooths" and your child have a wish free.Sorry about my bad english...
Yes,I know by myself it´s difficult when your own children are be teenager.My girls now 11 and 17 years old and sometimes is it very difficult with them.But we have much luck because they not smoking or doing other bad things like other teenager in their age.Okay,sometimes they saying not so nice words to us parents and they don´t like help (in the kitchen....)or don´t like making their homeworks from school but I think that´s normally in their ages.I know about other parents of teengers that they have much more bigger problem´s with their children....
Dear Debbie,I hope you can understand all what I will say.Yes,it´s not easy but you can help your children when you show them what´s important in their life.
But don´t worry be happy....All parents around the world have the same problems with their children and that´s good to know.
Have a nice day!
Bye,Steffi
I know what you mean, I think about it everyday although my daughters are still very young (but time flies doesn't it?).
We can't prevent the 'disconnection' but we can help to reduce the distance IYKWIM. Teenagers will always try to be individual but with some guidance from us, they'll always be loving and value family more than other things.
I think the idea of part-time schooling is wonderful, my daughter is going to school next year and I'm not liking the idea.
"Cool" blog by the way!
Cheers,
Sara
From experience, I think if those hugs are there at this age they will be there in the teenage years as well. Maybe they won't 'come running' but a hug while your standing in the kitchen, or an out of the blue hug before going to bed will bring you those same warm feelings. And now that I have a child out on her own, it's fantastic to get a hug and a kiss hello and goodbye when we see each other. A simple little hug from a teenager is the equivalent of all those hugs when they were babes :o)
Steffi - Thanks for your kind words. We also have a tradition of the "Tooth Fairy" for every tooth that is lost. That is part of the reason my daughter is so excited, I think.
All parents have similar problems and it's just a part of growing up for the kids. As much as I want them to grow up and realize their dreams, I also want them to stay my sweet little children, too. Not really, but you get what I mean. I'm just not looking forward to the snotty teenager phase. ;)
Sara – I am hoping that the more time we spend with them now might prevent some of those teenager issues. In the end, however, I just think it’s a developmental thing to test and separate from us.
Thanks for stopping by!
I can still elicit hugs from my younger ones...but not as much as they used to come. My oldest two don't anymore. But that is OK. They show their love in other ways now...and so will yours. But enjoy it now because they only stay young for so long and then you will see them grow to be young adults and you will enjoy that too.
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