BETTER OFF IN THE ATTIC
As I am sitting in front of the computer (having one of those days when I am unable to formulate what it is I’d like to write), I am watching the Lifetime Channel film, Flowers in the Attic. I’ve never read the book, but know enough of the story to understand what the film would be about. One of the first thoughts I have while watching (besides “Why on Earth does Heather Graham still have an acting career?”) is, “Whoa, I guess I am a better mother than I thought.”
As I am sitting in front of the computer (having one of those days when I am unable to formulate what it is I’d like to write), I am watching the Lifetime Channel film, Flowers in the Attic. I’ve never read the book, but know enough of the story to understand what the film would be about. One of the first thoughts I have while watching (besides “Why on Earth does Heather Graham still have an acting career?”) is, “Whoa, I guess I am a better mother than I thought.”
I know that all mothers doubt their abilities at times. My self-doubt tends to flare up with
the seemingly most innocuous things.
Like when we are having a lazy morning and my daughter chooses to eat
Cheez-its for breakfast. Or when I’ve had to remind her seven times in one day
that, yes, she absolutely must brush her teeth every day (but then she’ll brush them three times a day
when she happens to read in an American Girl book that she should). Or when my daughter is yelling
at me about not wanting to do the simplest chore and I want to wring her neck.
Today’s task was pulling out and trying on all of the
clothes hanging in her closet so we could determine what to wear for a photo
shoot (as well as to phase out ill-fitting garments). We are talking only about 8-10 dresses. Seriously, I sometimes go through that
many outfits just planning for my day, but oh how she carried on. I am sure the neighbors thought I was
forcing her to do some bizarre nudist ritual.
“MOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM! CAN I PLEEEEEEEEAAAAASE PUT MY PAJAMAS BACK ON!?!? I DON’T WANT TO BE NAKED! PLEASE STOP MAKING ME TRY ON
CLOTHES!”
It was enough to make me want to go into full-on “Mommie Dearest” mode (“I buy you all these beautiful dresses!!!”). Sheesh.
For anyone who knows my daughter, I am sure they would agree
that, even at 8, she is definitely her own person. Sometimes this is not necessarily a good thing. I have worked hard to raise to raise an
independent, secure individual, but I readily admit that she exhausts me
sometimes. I mean, come on, she is
not yet a teenager, yet we are already having arguments about what to wear?
Well, at least I haven’t locked her in an attic and forced
her to fend for herself. We’ll
leave that to V.C. Andrews books and Lifetime movies.
Until tomorrow, Lovelies….
Written 1/20/14
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