Rose will be seven in May. When I first started writing, I was pregnant with her. I remember when our oldest, Wren was seven. She felt so grown up. Then when Adi was seven, I remember thinking she wasn’t as mature as Wren at that age. She had more naïveté about her. And maybe because she is our baby, Rose feels even younger. Maybe it is my own denial that she too is growing up. But as my older girls are entering ages where they’re embarrassed by me and sometimes even “hate” me, Rose remains the one who is still eager to please me, hug me, and need me without hesitation. Adi’s new favorite line is “you’re favoriting Rose.”
A few weeks ago, Rose came home with a permission slip for a field trip to the local cabaret. After sending the slip back to school, I mentioned to Rose that I had checked the box to volunteer as a chaperone. Checking the box doesn’t guarantee a spot, but I’d be entered into the chaperone lottery. Rose gave me a tiny grin and we went on with the day.
A few days later, out of the blue, Rose said, “I don’t want you to be a chaperone for my field trip.” She had a sheepish look on her face and I could tell she had been waiting to break this news to me.
“Why not?” I asked, trying not to look crushed.
“I just get too sad when you have to leave. I just miss you too much.”
I pulled her into a hug, remembering the time last year when I was the mystery reader in her kindergarten class and the tears that ensued when it was time for me to leave.
“I’ll email your teacher and let her know,” I said. “No big deal. I’m proud of you for knowing yourself so well.”
Tomorrow is the day. Rose and her class will see Alice in Wonderland at the cabaret. I’ll be excited to hear all about it when she gets home from school.
Where There Is Joy 
This is so sweet. Children grow up so quickly and Rose is wise beyond her years! Enjoy every single moment with your girls!
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Rose, still do young, but so wise and loving! She knows what she can handle and how much she loves you. Admirable that you respect her wishes and know it’s about her, not you. This slice captures a beautiful mother daughter relationship.
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Oh Rose! I was reading your slice and not predicting that explanation. You’ve captured it beautifully!
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Yeah. I didn’t see that coming. I’m impressed that you were able to pause and avoid the initial feeling of disappointment to hear the reason. Rose is a gem. That’s something that I could hear our Sarah saying when she was that age. Some kids just know themselves.
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I’m so impressed by Rose’s thinking. You captured a happy/sad moment with your child!
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Your slice shows so much about a mother and daughter. Daughter brave enough to express her feelings and a mother wise enough to say “I’m proud of you for knowing yourself so well.” I’m inspired by both Rose and you.
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How sweet and grown up is that?! I hope she had a great time!
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Oh my goodness, that’s so sweet! And it’s so interesting to learn what she was really thinking about your joining the trip. It would have been so easy to think that she wanted some privacy/independence/time on her own, but now. Her sweet self wants more time with you, not less.
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