The "More" Child

Yesterday was one of those days as a parent when I thought to myself, “Maybe this is going to turn out well in the end!” and I got a glimpse of what the future might hold.

What am I talking about?   Independence. Self reliance. Maturity. Chutzpah.

Since school has finished, the girls have been “unprogrammed” meaning they have been left to their own devices at home while I’m at work:  reading, crafting, watching videos.  That will change somewhat next week when C. starts her 3-week online class to fulfill the health graduation requirement and M. begins her week as a preschool camp counselor (it’s walking distance and she’ll be doing it with her best friends).  I think I’ve mentioned that C.’s one week seminar on globalization fell through–not enough students signed up, which was disappointing.  I told my colleague–who a few days earlier had asked me if Husband Dear could speak to his niece, who is interested in the same field my husband is in–and floated the idea of C. volunteering/working with him on some advocacy projects. He has known C. for years, has a lot of work that needs to be done–and said yes.   Sweet!  Real work, in an area that interests her.

C. took it from there.  Yesterday she sent my colleague a very professional email expressing her interest and when she’d be available (he bcc’d me). She starts next week.

Then at lunch she called me to announce that she was hungry, wanted Thai food–and so was going to walk to the main drag near our house, get on the bus to Wheaton and have lunch at our family’s favorite Thai restaurant.  I was impressed.  I know a lot of adults a) wouldn’t ride the buses around here and b) wouldn’t feel comfortable eating alone in a restaurant.  And she even used her own money!  Very free range-ish.

Meanwhile, M. got a call to come a several hours early for her mother’s helper job.  The child minding ended at 4 p.m.–but she later told me that she lingered for an hour just chatting with the mom before walking the half mile back to our house.  The way she told me nonchalantly that she had been chatting with this mom like a peer about traveling, her school plans…somehow really impressed me and made me think both she and her sister are growing up into interesting, responsible, cool young women.

It does happen.

Just remind me the next time they’re in the car, behaving like two year olds, screaming over who needs to turn down/up the radio, wear headphones, not touch the other with her feet, etc.