My oldest hit the double digits this Friday, and oh, what celebrating there was!I was all ready for that. I'd made one cake, bought another, wrapped the presents, gotten the house ready for the onslaught of ten year who would pour into it the next day. We were ready to celebrate.
What I wasn't expecting was the trepidation. Not mine. Hers.
DD: Mama, should I be excited?
Me: (trying to hide surprise) Sure. You're turning ten. That's a big deal.
DD: I don't want to get older.
Me: Why not?
DD: I like being nine. I want to be nine for forever.
Me: Really?
I didn't totally get it. I was one of those kids who was nine going on nineteen. So come Saturday night, I went into the slumber party/night of silly 10 year old fun trying to catch glimpses not only of the allure of kiddom she sees but of its magic.
You know, I must have been blind as a kid. There was a Jupiter Jump, cookie cake, water balloon fights, sleepover with ten girls, movies - The Indian in the Cupboard, Hotel for Dogs, Marley and Me - gummy bears, popcorn, donuts, swinging, and laughing. Oh, was there laughing!
Most of all, there was abandon. Abandon to swim in it all, in the moment, in the fun, the silliness, the excitement, and the total exhaustion.
What was I thinking trying to grow up so fast??
I understand now why she is worried about getting older. Worried about losing that part of childhood and all that goes with it.
She's a smart kid, smarter than her mom. Hopefully, some of adulthood will eventually appeal to her. But after Saturday night, I get why there's no hurry getting there. There's so much to see until then. I'm glad I get to see it with her.
10 comments:
Sounds like a fun party!
My kids have had that trepidation before a birthday..."But I'll never be (insert age here) again!" I guess it is a sign of how much they are enjoying the moment.
I love this post, and the fact that your daughter wants to enjoy her childhood. That is so rare these days, and I think you're doing something right. I remember not wanting to grow old. When I turned 13, I cried and cried. I thought of my self as an old lady. Now at 51, I think I'm young. How come?
Gutsywriter, we're forever young ! I find being active, doing things with kids and enjoying life itself keeps me spirited to feel young.
Happy birthday to your not so little one! That is a big one and it's amazing that she realizes it.
I think my kids are enjoying their tween/teen time more than elementary school except for all the homework.
I'm enjoying them more as they get older - they question everything and really think things through.
Happy Birthday to your daughter!
My boys are like that and say they don't want to get older. I don't recall ever wanting to grow up too fast, but most of my friends were the opposite way. I think it's great your daughter is like this. So much responsibility gets pushed on kids at such an early age these days, so I hope she can hang onto her childhood dreams for awhile. :)
Double digits are magical
Mine turns 10 this Sunday--and I have your sentiments EXACTLY.
Happy Birthday wishes! I remember when I turned 10. It was big. Very big.
I wish I could remember ten. I'm not sure I remember a single party, except one, and all I remember of that is the cake. Weird, isn't it?
Ten is a wonderful--almost perfect--age, both for the kid and for the parent. I taught fourth grade for several years and discovered what incredible people we all are at ten. Enjoy it thoroughly, Mom. By 11, girls' hormones start kicking in and it's a wild ride for a while!
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