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Sunday, October 03, 2010

dress shopping at the mawl


One thing about motherhood that keeps it exciting: So often the way things play out is completely different from what I pictured.

The first expectation changer: Every moment with my newborn will be soft cuddles, sweet smiles and baby powder smells. You know, like those Johnson & Johnson commercials.



You too?

The latest expectation changer: Dress Shopping at the Mawl.

4I envisioned our first venture to be a joyful bonding experience.

4I thought my twelve year olds would be smiling at my side, happily rushing to show me their fashion picks. Not asking if I'd mind staying twenty feet behind them at all times.

4 I didn't think I'd have to worry about my kids wanting to make their purchases alone until they were driving.

4For their first school dance I pictured a cute little outfit like this:



Instead we are negotiating away from a hot little number like this:



4I thought they would be in high school for their first homecoming* dance. I didn't know college coeds would return home eager to visit their middle school.

Turns out there is one thing I predicted correctly: Sweating while I handed over this:




*Resisting the urge to step on soapbox and rant about the judgement of adults who organize these events and why do we want our kids to grow up so fast and are we really surprised at teen drug abuse because by the time they're in high school they've already done it all so what do they have to look forward to?

16 comments:

hokgardner said...

Oh dear. I am not looking forward to that stage.

Anonymous said...

I laughed at this, I just did that last weekend. Except my expectation was your experience, and my experience your expectation.

I got off easy. (This time.)

Jodi Anderson said...

I have to say that I also got off easy. My daughter, now 18, is all about jeans and t-shirts (or sweaters). She has no interest in make-up and such.

However, I was an entirely different story... I was so into make-up and fashion and trying to grow up too fast.

Lisa Wheeler Milton said...

Feel free to step up on the soapbox when ready.

I agree. There's nothing wrong with having something to look forward to, wait for.

shrink on the couch said...

hokgardner -- it's happening a few years sooner than I expected. not happy about that.

crazy -- a mom can hope.

jodi -- oh I wish, I wish. I've got one who is a little more middle of the road, like me, but a dance requiring a fancy dress is what it is.

lisa -- thanks. I know I'm not alone on this but when it comes to the prevailing wind, I sure wish more people like us held sway.

Lee said...

Homecoming dances are in middle school now? Aye yi yi!

I see you're hanging in there with the Sontag book.;)

I think you might like "Freedom" by Jonathan Franzen.

shrink on the couch said...

lee -- slogging, slogging. barely getting through it. I will look for the new Franzen. I sure liked his voice in Corrections.

Coffeypot said...

I think both the dresses you showe are cute...I just hope you aren't talking about a son.

Jason, as himself said...

Absolutely. Parenthood is so much more than I imagined it would be.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I'm not a big fan of the middle school dance myself.

Homecoming is a big thing this year at our house--my son and daughter are going in the same group (and I used to worry about them killing each other!).

I hope you found a compromise dress.

Unknown said...

glad I have a boy somedays...although I am sure there are other things to look forward to. I have an expectation of a teenage boy who likes to talk to his mom. I hope that one doesn't get blown out of the water too badly...

Also: where can I get that cute little number you imagined her wearing???

dkuroiwa said...

It's blogposts and stories like this that make me wanna lean over and hug my "maybe my t-shirt is clean and I might actually have underwear on" boys.
I'm thinking that their angsting and making me crazy cannot compare to what girls put a mom through (i seem to remember my own 'growing up'!!).
What ended up getting purchased?

Mental P Mama said...

Wow. Mine are only 19, and a lot has already changed. Homecoming dances for 12-year-olds??? Wow.

Kathleen Scott said...

I hope you're collecting these columns so you can hand them over when your kids have kids. They won't believe how good you were.

Pamela said...

The good news is things seem to actually CALM DOWN in high school...here's hoping it's that way for you.

Susan said...

I agree that high school was calmer than middle school in general. It does depend on the girl and her crowd. My older girl was much easier than my younger one. and none of mine were much into pushing it when we said no to what we thought were ridiculous, way too grown-up activities and expectations.