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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

A Rough Road Begins to Smooth Out...

I probably set my oldest daughter, Ash, up for a bit of a rough road. She was my first born and I did most things for her.

Ash at one day old in the NICU
By the time her little sister came around and I had to get three of us out of the house, it was just easier to do everything for her instead of let her do it herself. I tied her shoes, zipped her pants, buttoned her jacket and many other things to get us on our way. As she got older, the things that I did for her changed but I was still doing things that she should've been doing on her own.

She is about to turn 10 in a few months and just over the past two weeks I have noticed a change in her. She is starting to return the favor without me asking.

Last week as we scrambled to get ready for school and catch the bus, Ash disappeared downstairs. To be honest, I thought I would find her doing something totally unrelated to getting ready for school. When I got downstairs, I found her in the kitchen zipping up her sister's lunch box. She said she overheard me say that I forgot to make their lunches so she went down to take care of it for me. She packed each of them an ice pack, drink, apple, cheese & crackers and a cookie for dessert.

Later in the week, she cleaned her room before a play date without the usual threat of - "If you don't clean your room, Friend can't come over!!". She even cleaned it up after her friend left and did an amazing job.

Sunday, after her sister's basketball game, she told me that she would make their lunches. She washed off strawberries and cut them with a butter knife, she made wraps with turkey and colby jack cheese with a fancy toothpick to hold it all together and best of all...she cleaned it all up.

This girl will always be my baby...
no matter how old
I know this may not seem like much to many who read this but to me this is a step in the right direction. It fills my heart with pride that she is making these steps on her own and that she has actually been paying attention to what I have been doing over the last nine years of her life. It also breaks my heart because I know that sooner rather than later she will need me less and less in the everyday aspects of her life. The road is definitely beginning to smooth out.

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20 Comments:

At January 18, 2012 at 9:28 AM , Blogger Rochelle@AFamilyofLooneys said...

What a sweet little girl you have. It is bittersweet when they start growing up.

 
At January 18, 2012 at 9:40 AM , Blogger Shell said...

This is so sweet! You should be proud!

 
At January 18, 2012 at 9:47 AM , Blogger Jax said...

That is awesome!! I haven't heard anything that precious in a while :) That is so sweet that your daughter went out of her way to help out just from over hearing you mention the lack of lunch. I would've never at 10...haha

 
At January 18, 2012 at 9:54 AM , Blogger Tiffany said...

Awww, you've done a good job so far momma. xoxo Despite that you feel like you overdid it, it has worked in your favor and hers. She is growing into a responsible young lady.

 
At January 18, 2012 at 10:35 AM , Blogger marie said...

Not seem like much, are you kidding? Not only is she so sweet looking in the picture, I am getting sentimental just thinking of the love she is showing for you and her sister by her service.

It is hard work in itself teaching your kids to work, but is so worth it. My oldest is such a help, my middle girl somewhat helpful, and my son not a help at all. I have a lot of work to do with him.

You're raising a great girl!

 
At January 18, 2012 at 10:45 AM , Anonymous Maureen | Tatter Scoops said...

Such a lovely post. I can only hope my son will be like that when he's big. :)

 
At January 18, 2012 at 12:08 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Such a sweet girl! Let me make a bow for her, for her birthday! (For free of course!) Over the next little while look around and see what you/she likes!

 
At January 18, 2012 at 5:00 PM , Blogger Maren said...

What a girl. This made me feel warm and fuzzy :)

 
At January 18, 2012 at 5:23 PM , Blogger Grumpy Grateful Mom said...

What a great story about your daughter!!! I love that she's making such positive changes. You're doing an amazing job!

Hoping my kids will develop some of those same helpful attributes as they get older.

 
At January 18, 2012 at 6:37 PM , Blogger Adrienne said...

What a sweetheart!

 
At January 18, 2012 at 8:03 PM , Blogger llawlor said...

A sweetie pie like her mom! That is so GREAT:)

 
At January 18, 2012 at 9:15 PM , Blogger Baby Steps Mommy said...

I know what you mean because it is the same thing here; except its my youngest, who is 8 years younger than my oldest so basically he is an only child in theory...I just now started letting up on cleaning his room after he comes home from school,and hanging up his coat. The little things are what counts on the road to progress!

 
At January 18, 2012 at 11:41 PM , Blogger Gia said...

Aww that's sweet! Sounds like she's doing great.

 
At January 19, 2012 at 1:43 AM , Blogger Recovering Supermom said...

Wow! That's awesome that she's is taking on those roles. What a great girl!

 
At January 20, 2012 at 3:08 AM , Blogger Mommy Inconsistent said...

I do the same things with my boys...like getting my five-year-old dressed when he can totally do it himself...sometimes it's just easier (for me). I love that pic of your daughter...she's really lovely.

 
At January 20, 2012 at 4:46 PM , Anonymous Karen said...

One of your best blogs yet Kristen! Gave me chills, as a Mom who is already seeing these changes in my oldest:-) They truly are God's greatest gifts!

 
At January 20, 2012 at 4:48 PM , Blogger Liz Mays said...

It's so much fun to see them turning into little adults! But heck yeah about her being your baby forever!

 
At January 23, 2012 at 2:57 PM , Blogger Heather said...

Ah she is so sweet. It is so bittersweet to see them grow up. Sounds like she has been learning from the best!

 
At January 25, 2012 at 10:07 AM , Blogger Jill said...

Oh, teary....she's not allowed to be 10 until I see her again.

 
At January 25, 2012 at 2:02 PM , Anonymous OneMommy said...

I love that she took it upon herself to make lunch for her and her sister! It sounds like you have a pair of terrific girls there.

 

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