Tuesday, January 20, 2009

There's an Imposter in my House

I wish someone would tell me what happened to my daughter. You know, the sweet 12 year old girl who has lived with me her entire life.

I think there's an imposter living with me instead.

My girl is sweet and loving. Always willing to spend time with me on the couch, read a book, watch a movie and give hugs. I haven't seen that girl in about 2 weeks.

Last night at dinner we tried a new recipe - Brown Rice Patties. Everyone thought they were good except the 12 year old imposter. She said, "Does anyone else in America eat this for dinner?" I reassured her that Heather's family does because I got the recipe from her blog. The imposter would prefer spaghetti or chicken for dinner. I reminded her that we had roast chicken for dinner on Sunday or maybe the imposter missed that meal because my daughter was sitting in her seat. Note: imposter ate two of the brown rice patties.

Later in the evening the imposter was snuggled up in a blanket and reading a book. I got right next to her, put my arm around her and gave her a squeeze plus a kiss on top of her head. She said, "Get out of here."

Again, much later in the evening I approached the imposter. However, I do believe my daughter had reappeared by this time. I asked if she'd like to sit in bed with me and read together. She said, "Sure." Not only did I get to read with her but she also let me blow-dry her hair, a real treat I can assure you.

So now I'm thinking, "Oh, thank the Lord. My daughter is back and that imposter has fled."

Not so. The imposter was back this morning eating breakfast at my counter. Either that or my daughter has turned into a true teenager within the last couple of weeks.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds to me like little Maddie is a teenager now! I'm glad those days for me are still a ways down the road!

Jenny said...

oh, to be cuddled up and reading together. With my boys those days ended around age 8. I'm doing well if we sit together on the couch. They will let me hug them every once in a while...

Nina Diane said...

yeah......the imposter will come and go but after the teen years, the imposter is gone forever!

Rechelle said...

Har har har. Sorry Nancy I laughed all the way through this post. "get out of here" Har har har

Jill said...

My 11 yo is doing the same exact thing!!! Where did my sweet little girl go? However, since I have 16 and 15 year olds, I know that this phase passes. Thank heavens! If it didn't, no child would live to adulthood! LOL

Jill

amanda said...

Great! You mean I have THAT to look forward to? It's like the change from 2 to 3 year old, only meaner and mouthier! AAAAAGH! Well. Chalk it up, put on your armor, and go forward. It can't last forever!

jeanie@mageditor.blogspot.com said...

I hate to tell you but the imposter will come and go at will many times over the next six years. We have thought the imposter had run away for good, only to have her appear unexpectedly and out of the blue. She sometimes even pops in just for a brief second and then leaves rendering us to a continual state of confusion. My "imposter" is 17 and I can tell you that from 12 on the even years are heinous, the odd years not so bad. So, don't worry, 13 is coming up and hopefully it will be your year of normalcy. Good Luck...even the imposter needs a Mommy. :)

Anonymous said...

I feel your pain way more than I'd care to admit!!

Anonymous said...

hmmm, I'm with keeping that imposter locked up as long as possible. Kids (especially girls) are growing up WAY to fast these days.

heather said...

i will look to you for insight on what lies ahead for me. :)

i am happy to hear the imposter comes and goes. i think infancy and the toddler years are just a gentle warm up for the true grace, support and presence a mother needs to demonstrate during the adolescent years. deep breaths and loads of kindness... imposters don't like such warm and fuzzy things, doesn't give them much to feed on. ;)