Her daddy is in denial

Last Friday, as I was getting the kids ready for school, I thought to myself, “Wow, Sassy looks really pretty today.” I thought it again as the kids were climbing out of my SUV. It seemed to me that her eyes were really popping.

I wondered if it was just that she’s my kid and, by genetic default, I think she’s beautiful. But no, she looked really lovely. I didn’t say anything to her about it – I guess because we were busy trying to get out of the house. Or maybe because I don’t want her to get a swelled head. Not that I never tell her she’s pretty, I just don’t want to go crazy about it, ya know? Perhaps I’m a bad parent, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s much more important to be pretty on the inside than the outside. I praise her kindness, empathy, and intelligence much more than the fact that she’s turning into a pretty girl.

Still, I looked at her and it occurred to me that I’m going to have a serious problem in a few short years. So far she hasn’t expressed much interest in boys – which is a VERY good thing as Sassy is only 9 years old. However, she is a very girly-girl and fashion is very important to her.

When I got home from work, I noticed her eyes again and the same thoughts from earlier wormed their way into my brain. I specifically noticed her eyelashes.

I have been saying it for years now, but I have no idea how I made such a pretty girl. She’s way prettier than I ever was. It must be the influence of her father’s genes. In fact, I think that it is wholly unfair that it doesn’t look like she’s going to have an ugly duckling stage.  Mine went on for about thirteen years.

Anyway, sometime around 9:30 I glanced over at her on the couch next to me and it hit me like a Mack truck. I was such an idiot.

She was wearing mascara. To school.

At nine.

At least I can say she did an excellent job of putting it on.

When confronted, she finally admitted she stole my makeup. Sigh. I gave her the health lecture about infection and blah blah blah. All that is great, Mom, but when can I wear it? Then the topic of shaving her legs came up and I started having very real heart palpitations.

The arbitrary age of 13 was mentioned.

I’m going to go lay down. She’s definitely killing me.