heartbreaking

As I tucked Samantha into bed the other night, she seemed a bit off. I begged her to tell my what was bothering her. At first, she wouldn't give it up. I had just blown up at the whole family about leaving their dirty dishes in the sink (all kinds of ultimatums were thrown around) so I thought she might be sulking about getting into trouble (she likes to punish me back whenever she gets into trouble). After I nagged her for a bit, she finally opened up about what was bother her. It went something like this:

Samantha: Do you think I am too old for you to tuck me in?

Me: (I am totally shocked and and a little bit hurt [okay, a lot hurt] and feel like a sixteen year old that just got broken up with). Ummm. Well, I don't know...do you think you are too old to be tucked in?

Samantha: Well, I don't know.

Mom: Do you like being tucked in? Cause I really, really like tucking you in.

Samantha: Well, remember how I wrote my CBA expository paper about all the things you do for me? I wrote about how you always tuck me in. My friend at school read my paper and made fun of me cause my mom still tucks me in.

Mom: OOOOHHHHH (I had to bite my tongue not to say mean things about this "friend" and how she is not a very nice girl). Well, your friends don't have to know that your mom still tucks you in. It's not hurting anything and I still really like it. Do you still like it?

Samantha: Yes.

Mom: Okay, then it will just be between you and me (Shhhh...don't tell her I told you).

Obviously, Samantha's gonna grow up. I wouldn't want it any other way. I have high hopes for the amazing future she has before her. But I am not sure I am ready for it to happen just yet. I am certainly not ready for her to shun the tuck-in. She and I have always had a special relationship. She is my only girl and my baby, after all. I suppose I had better start to grow some thicker skin. If she treats her mom anything like I did as a teenager, its going to get way worse before it gets better.

(Sorry mom, I didn't mean to be so incredibly awful and I regret it on a regular basis. I love you!).

Comments

[jen]

Coen came home with is shirt on backwards yesterday and I asked him why and he said some kids were telling him his Mickey mouse shirt was a baby shirt. He is in the 2nd grade do they really need to grow up so fast?

[rebecca ellis]

This is the sweetest post I have ever read. Just today during a visit by my visiting teachers, one of them mentioned that while she was "tucking in" her 16 year old son last night, that he shared questions that he had about something. She said that she tucks in her children every night and even her college age daughter when she comes home for holidays. Her 22 year old college student shared with her mother how much this special private time meant to her. As mothers, most of us feel that our children do not want to be tucked in my Mom as they get older. How special that Samantha felt comfortable discussing her feelings with you. Lucky you!!!

[Jana Miner]

I read to Katie every night before I tucked her in until she was in the 7th or 8th grade. I have very fond memories of some of the books we read together.