The Day Has Come... Again

Well, another sad day has arrived. This morning as I was writing the daily lunch notes (okay, maybe not always daily... but I try!), Spencer let me know that it would be okay with him if I didn't put one in his lunch. He was sweet about it. He let me down easy. It was obvious that he was hesitant to tell me what was on his mind. He simply said, "You don't have to put a note in mine." Then he added, "Sometimes it's kind-of embarrassing."

To be honest, I've been expecting this to happen anytime now--after all, this ain't my first rodeo!!! I've been through this twice before. Sometimes it happens when you're driving them to school and realize they're trying really hard not to be seen with you. Sometimes it happens when they don't want a kiss anymore--just a hug will do (and they'd really prefer to skip the hug as well). Sometimes they decide they're too old to listen to bedtime stories (which, by the way, is not allowed in my home--there is NO SUCH THING as being too old to be read to!!!). I think for most kids it's all of the above--just in different orders.

Sometimes I feel a little bit bad as I go on doing things (like lunch notes) that I'm pretty sure they no longer want. But I wait for them to bring it up. I would never want to suggest to them that they're outgrowing these things, just in case they really do still like them. I don't know what will be next on Spencer's list--I'm pretty sure he's not interested in having me come eat lunch with him at school anymore... Sixth grade is a pretty significant turning point.

I'm grateful that, so-far, they've all been kind about it. I think they might be too afraid to say it like it is, for fear that I'll get sad & mushy on them. And I'm actually arriving at the point of starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! It seems that at some point it comes full-circle, and suddenly they like you again! In fact, I'm going on a field trip with Ashlee tomorrow! IN FRONT OF HER FRIENDS!!! Who'da thunkit???