Cecilia aced a social studies te-, er, check-in this week. Just asked. She confirmed this was a test. I’m allowed to call it that. In any event, she did well. Were flash cards and eye rolling involved in the study lead up? You bet. I’ve noticed that many of the girl’s stories or anecdotes about school or the weekend often revolve around what I won’t let them do or what I made them do against their will (see, flash cards). I know they are hearing me say those things.
But are they hearing the other things? I worry that maybe I’m not saying it enough.
Cecilia will sort of shrug it off or mumble into her phone. It can feel awkward if someone else is around. It’s a cliche. They already know. Don’t they?
I love you.
I’m proud of you.
You are enough.
Cecilia is not a hugger. That’s fine. Emotionally, most people assume I’m half robot, so I get it. But it would kill me if they ever doubted how proud I am and always will be.
A lot of parenting is hard. This isn’t. I’ll just program myself to say it. And keep saying it.
