I think one of the coolest things about having kids is being able to see so much of yourself – your own quirks, positive traits and failings – re-emerge in the body of another little person.
Now that I have Little CEO, I’ve noticed that she has a few qualities that, while indicative of a smart, persistent girl, can be highly annoying at times:
1. She is a relentless perfectionist. If something does not go according to her plan, she will harass the living daylights out of you until you make it so. Even if it’s a matter of where Rainbow Sparkles Starshine Unicorn is placed on her bed, dangit, she is going to make sure it’s in the right spot. She won’t sleep, or worse yet, stop talking, until it’s fixed.
2. She is extremely bossy. She likes to tell her brother, friends, teacher, parents, stuffed animals, dog, pillow, computer and even the placemat, whether it is capable of listening or not, what to do.
3. She is highly inquisitive, oftentimes answering a question with a question.
4. She is awfully pleasant in the morning, but no one gets the Grump on like Little CEO. Watch out if she’s in a bad mood because she will take your head off, twist your hair into scary knots (with bows, always) and leave it on a plate.Then she is back to her normally scheduled bad mood.
Exasperation is the best way to describe how I feel sometimes when I have to deal with these behaviors. I sigh, I get snappish, I clench my fists in frustration. If it’s after 5 p.m., wine may be opened. If it’s 8 a.m., I long for 5 p.m.
“Why does everything have to be just so, all the time with her?” I moan to Little CEO’s preschool teacher from last year, a very wise woman who I love. In a thick Georgia accent, she says, “When are you gonna figure out that you’re raising yourself, Gigi?”
But I wasn’t that much of a perfectionist.
“Mom, Little CEO can’t seem to stop bossing everyone around. It’s off the charts.” She replies, “don’t you remember refusing to let me do anything with your hair as a child because you wanted to do everything yourself?”
But I wasn’t *bossy* bossy.
“Husband, Little CEO will not answer my questions.” “Yeah, she’s just like you. You always answer a question with a question. Do you know what I mean?” “You think I do that on purpose?” I say.
But I do it because I’m seeking additional INFO.
“How does she switch from happy to grumpy so quickly?” I ask my mother-in-law. “Well, Gigi, you know you have a way of not really wanting to be talked to in the morning until you’re fully into your day.”
But that’s because I’m tired and sleep deprived.
Truth be told ~ I am a bossy, grumpy, incessant question-asking perfectionist. But these are the qualities that got me through law school, two different successful careers and more. And they’ll propel Little CEO through some amazing opportunities as well.
I just never knew how MUCH of a bossy, grumpy, incessant question-asking perfectionist I was. I just never had the opportunity to see it until the mirror – a beautiful, deep, dark truthful mirror – was put in front of my face.
If you want to know who you really are, you don’t need to find yourself, you just need to have kids.
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You know what, I see myself in my son as well. And I so wish that I was a better daughter to my mom. Strange how much alike one’s children are to you.
blackhuff´s last [type] ..What teenagers don’t know
ha! this is SO true!! my daughter is so much like me and I didn’t see it until it was..ahem…brought to my attention. great, great post Gigi!!
Kerry´s last [type] ..What Brings Me Joy
Well, this scares the crap out of me. I do not want a lot of my personality traits coming back at me.
KLZ´s last [type] ..Mama Kats Writers Workshop 16
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