I'm not going to lie to you, Lily does make being a mother a whole ton of fun. But, this isn't a post about that...this is a post about something that is driving me absolutely C.R.A.Z.Y!!!!!
Lily has a very active imagination and loves to play "pretend". Sounds harmless enough. Sure.
Since Lily doesn't have any siblings I am lucky enough to be her frequent playmate. Again, sounds harmless enough.
That is until...until...Lily magically becomes Lily Spielberg.
Then. Watch. Out!
Here's a brief reenactment of one of our delightful little pretend sessions:
Mommy, let's pretend we're both polar bears. You be the mommy polar bear and I'll be the baby polar bear.Sure, honey. That sounds fun.
Um. No, Mommy. You don't stand there...you have to stand over there.
Oh, Mommy. You don't say that...you say this...(Insert Mommy starting to take deep breaths.)
Oh, never mind Mommy. Let's not be polar bears. Let's pretend we're waitresses.
Okay, Mommy. I'll wait on this table.Okay, Lily. I'll wait on this table.
No, Mommy. I'll wait on all the customers. Um...why don't you sweep?(Insert lava beginning to pour from Mommy's ears)
You get the idea.
I know this all sounds really, really petty...and...you're right. It is!
I also know that there are many parents that face real challenges with their children every day. I'm sure any one of them would gladly sign up to deal with this "burden".
I'm just trying to be honest and this "pretend" phase is making me more than a little nutty.
It turns out having two control freaks under one roof can be a bit challenging! Who knew???
I do try and talk to Lily about how she can't dictate every single detail of our play. I explain that there needs to be some give and take. That Mommy doesn't want to be told Every. Single. Word. To. Say.
It seems to sink in...for about 3 seconds.
During these pretend play times I do my best to try and channel my inner Mary Poppins. Really. I do. Sadly, I'm afraid, more times than not it's my inner Attila the Hun that comes out.
I'm sure this phase will pass. Soon.
Right? Right?!?
Oh my stinkin' heck I hope so!
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. I'm hoping it will postpone my impending extended stay at The Ha Ha Hotel...at least by a few days.
4 comments:
Experienced this with my oldest granddaughter and still going through it with my grandson. As only kids, they thought the world revolved around them and that they were in charge of it, too! Advancing in school knocked that right out of Cassidy and is beginning to do so with Kaidin. I'm sure the same thing will happen with Lily. But be prepared for some tears and hurt feelings before Lily truly, truly gets it. And be prepared to find it really, really hard to set limits on your time with and attention to Lily. While I know setting these limits is good for kids and good for us, I still struggle with doing this with my grandkids - and with my grown sons, too! As always, keeping you in my prayers.
Cousin Eileen
Eileen,
I always appreciate your words of wisdom...and your prayers!
TJ
oh sister, i feel your pain and exasperation! quinn does EXACTLY the same thing - dictates EVERY word to be said and move to be made. we talk with her all the time about it and she responds the same as lily --- it sinks in for about 3 seconds and then it's back to her dictating every part of pretend involved... ah, such is life with a 5-year-old!
Hi there Rox,
Congratulations on your new little one!!!
Thanks for stopping in and checking on us!
It might just be that "misery loves company", but I do get some comfort hearing that other 5 year olds do the same things!!!
TJ
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