Sylvia and I were on our way back home from her dance class when her phone rang. It doesn't ring that often. It mostly buzzes with texts.
It was one of the friends that she's had a lot of trouble with this year. I couldn't hear what her friend was saying, but I heard loud and clear what my daughter was saying after the friend spoke for a while.
First, Sylvia told this friend that she's too cool to not be with friends with, "but there are a few things you need to work on." They spoke for a while about their plans for tomorrow and then Sylvia asked her friend if she was ready to hear what she needed to work on. She prefaced it with, "I can't speak for what's going on with [another friend], you'll have to talk to her about that, but here's what I would like for you to work on."
"So the first thing is, I'd really appreciate it if you didn't call me "it" anymore." Her friend said something, then Sylvia said, "okay, I know. I'd just really like it if you didn't do that anymore."
"Also, I'd really appreciate it if you didn't yell at me anymore because it really hurts my feelings. And the next thing is, I'd really appreciate it if you didn't yell at Riley. I know, she can be annoying, but sometimes I want her there, and it really hurts her feelings when you do that so I'd really appreciate it if you didn't. So yeah, if you could work on those things, I'd really appreciate it."
Okay, so granted, I can't take all the credit here. Clearly, her years of therapy also come into play. (And my years of therapy, too, I'd imagine.) But, OMG, to hear her say that? To speak her feelings so articulately, so thoughtfully.
Good thing we were home, because I don't think I could have driven anymore through the tears of love welling up in my eyes.
17 comments:
Wow. What a proud mommy moment. Awesome. You've raised them right. And yes, you do get some of the credit.
I love moments that like. You deserve to be proud!
: ) Yay for Sylvia! And, of course, you too.
That is so HUGE and great. She is going to be such a healthy adult!
I agree with the first comment wholeheartedly. You most definitely deserve some of the credit there.
What an awesome moment to experience. I'm proud for you!
That is fantastic!
That is great! So self-confident and self-assured. I love that Sylvia took up for Riley too, that's a wonderful big sister thing to do.
Wow, that's so great. Very mature and thoughtful. You're doing such an amazing job, April!
That's incredibly impressive. Most of the adults I know can't do that. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I could be that direct.
We could all learn from her.
Awww, what an awesome girl!!!
Wow! Good for her! I can only imagine how proud you must have been to hear her not only stick up for herself, but for another friend!
That is just awesome. You've obviously done good!
Oh the joy you must've felt while hearing that! What a beautiful testament to her maturity and your loving guidance.
That is just plain AWESOME. Of her and you. Way to go Mama & Sylvia!
This is AWESOME. Talk about growing up and maturing. You should def be a proud mama!
And therapy? That's actually a pretty interesting idea - something I might definitely think about for the future.
That's so amazing, April. I love that she stuck up for her sister, too. What a self-confident young woman!
Sad to say, I don't think I could've been that mature and level-headed to someone who'd been mean to me and a loved one. What an awesome girl. You've done a great job, April.
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