Riley has always been VERY clear that she has not wanted to get her ears pierced…VERY CLEAR.
And I have been VERY CLEAR that I was thrilled with that because she wasn’t going to get her ears pierced until she was 12 anyhow…Phew!
Until last week when she came home from school to say…
Riley – (Confidently Speaking)- “Mom, I really feel as if I am ready to get my ears pierced.”
Me – (Visibly Shocked)- “WHAT???? Where the heck is this coming from?”
Riley – “I don’t know….I just know I am ready”
Her father – (in background)- “Sounds great!”
Me – “Wait a second you guys…cause I have been VERY CLEAR that ear piercing will not happen until Riley is 12.” There is silence, all eyes were on me, Riley sat VERY confidently and waited.
Me – “I need a few minutes with this one guys” (no objections)
Me – “Cause I need to LOOK AT a few things like…Where did this rule of mine come from, do I believe it and what is of utmost importance here? The fact that I have a rule or that you are VERY CLEAR that YOU are ready now?”
BOOM…There it was…the TRUTH for us all…The realization that I had no idea where that rule came from; maybe it was the rule my mother had for me but when I questioned it I found that it just didn’t “work” for me, for my kid, or this moment. I had no where to go but stay right there and stare into the face of a VERY CONFIDENT 9 year old who was asking for what she wanted because she KNEW she was ready.
The next day…ear piercing commenced…There were tears, big hugs, lots of deep breaths and pizza and ice cream! And after a short period of time Riley turned to me and said (confidently)
“I am so proud of myself mom” and I said, “Me too!”
