Becoming a Young Lady: How I Handled My Daughter’s Transformation

It’s been several years since my last post.  Various events in my life have led me to have little to virtually no time for myself, all of which I could have blogged about and they would have been great stories, however, I’ve tried dedicating what little time I do have to my children.  With that being said, my comeback post relates to my now 11 year old daughter and the dreaded step closer to becoming a woman.

Yes, you read correctly, how can I say it more clearly without causing alarm, MY 11 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER got her period.  I never thought the day would come and yet, like a freak hurricane, IT arrived in full force.  She freaked out, I freaked out and more than anything, my son freaked out. My 8 year old daughter thought it was cute and adorable, I found that a bit disturbing.  She obviously has no idea what monster she’s got coming to her.  Nonetheless, after running around like a crazy lady and “confirming” several times that she had actually started her period, we got dressed and prepared to make our trek to the store to “shop” for her items.  Upon arriving at our local supermarket we made our way to the “feminine products” aisle where I was faced with a plethora of choices for her.  I was lost.  I had no idea what to choose for her.    I know you’re asking yourselves how this is possible since I’m a woman too.  Well, I’m 34 and for the last 20 odd years or so, I have been going to the exact same spot at the supermarket picking out the exact same feminine product, not once paying any mind to the endless other choices.

Anyways, while standing in the aisle scoping out our options, my daughter begins to have a breakdown.  Tears start streaming down her face and she is absolutely mortified at the thought of having to pick out something that is absolutely normal.  Meanwhile, my 8 year old screams out at the top of her lungs, “Mom is that going to happen to me too!”  My poor 11 year old had the most upsetting look on her face.   Of course, I’m not helping the situation by giggling at each option I look at and trying to explain the different pros and cons of each product.  Finally, my sympathy for her kicks in and I help her choose one pack that looks like it is geared towards “preteens”.  My daughter, rightly so, makes me carry the box to the register and she stands as far away from me as possible, as if I’m holding something that presents imminent danger to her life.  So I pay and we walk out of the store and head on home.  In my head, I’m trying to go over HOW I’m going to show her how to use these things, these “feminine pads” and I’m dreading every bit of it.  We arrive at home and my daughter rushes to the restroom, me following behind.  I begin the exhausting process of explaining exactly how this product is to be used and the normality of it all.  I have “the” talk with my daughter about the importance of crossing the little girl to young lady threshold and I stress the importance of being careful in any situation she may be presented with.  I have to remind myself several times that, regardless of her age, her young mindset, HER body has began to transform itself to that of a young lady.

I can’t help but shed a few tears, my little girl is growing up, and dammit I think I handled it pretty damn well.

Car Shopping Like Grocery Shopping?

See that car in the basket, I wish it was that simple.  Why can’t buying a car be like choosing milk and eggs at a grocery store?  I mean seriously.  Because of this irresponsible driver that rammed into my van and totaled it last week I have been in the market for a new or used car, no preferences whatsoever.  However, it seems that I have a better chance at becoming the next playboy bunny at Hugh Hefner’s mansion, and let me just say, I do NOT have the body of a playboy bunny.  For the last week I have been searching online, filling out applications, speaking to salesman who promise me the best deal only to receive no return phone call.  I do have money for a down payment, maybe not enough in their eyes for it seems like nowadays unless you are a millionaire they expect you to handover your next two month’s worth of paychecks to qualify for even a semi decent vehicle.  I’m not picky at all.  All I want is something a little roomy to accommodate myself and my three children.  Is that so much to ask?  I work in the car business and it is nowhere near as difficult to finance with us.  However, for reasons I am keeping confidential, I choose to forego purchasing at the dealership I work at.  Today I was able to test drive two vehicles but it was late in the afternoon, so unfortunately I will have to go through another restless night and wait until tomorrow to hear a decision.  This has been one of the toughest weeks at work and I foresee a bottle of some sort of hard liquor in the near future to recuperate.  Not only have I had to borrow a friend’s car for the past week, but we are undergoing an audit at work all the while having to attend physical therapy in the afternoons every day.  I only hope a great weekend is to come and that I may have a vehicle of my own once again.  Nevertheless, I have remained strong through it all not only for myself, but for my children whom I am doing my best to keep out of all the stresses going on in my life right now. They are after all my innocent babies.