I saw a glimpse of myself recently.  I must have mentioned the word kid or Sweetpea must of heard it that day or was reflecting on the concept of “kid”. Out of the blue, Sweetpea looked at me and stated “I not a kid Mommy.”  I thought this would be coming soon.  Apparently I had a similar epiphany around the same age (“I my known person mommy”- me 31 years ago).  I looked her with so much pride.  She clarified, “I a big girl Mommy.”

I stood looking at my daughter telling, asking, pleading, that I respect her for who she is as a person.  Memories of adults dismissing me as a child flashed before my eyes.  I remember wishing evil on people who didn’t treat me like a person.  Some people say I was never a child.  I never thought I was.  I was a person.  A person to be listened to or atleast considered.

I looked at my daughter, thought of her independence, thought of her confidence and all I could think of was pride. I hope I can do half of what my own mother did.  She did not break my spirit.  I hope to re-enforce and help our daughter grow as a person.