On my eldest daughter’s fourth birthday, I conducted a birthday interview with her. Brilliant, no? My idea? Absolutely not. I completely stole it from here (http://pinterest.com/pin/10133167881075265/). But fantastic nonetheless.
One of the questions I asked Ella was what she wanted to be when she grew up. Without a pause, she answered ‘a bumblebee’. To which I replied ‘really?’.
In retrospect, I should have immediately cheered on her choice. Who wouldn’t want to be a bumble bee when they grew up? Snazzy coloured wardrobe, hanging in flowers all day, best looking when plump, working hard for community, following direction under a monarchy – perfection I tell ya. I got there eventually, the cheering on part. But what was troubling to me was that it wasn’t my initial reaction.
Societal training had me anticipating the career Ella would answer with. She loves to role play teacher, writer, store keeper, hair dresser, doctor, server, vetrinarian. Which would she choose? And why? Is it because these are the careers I have introduced into her life or because she really has an interest in it? I was completely blown away with her answer. But as any Mama knows, kids are the gift that keeps on giving.
So, I will take this gift Ella has given me and I will continue to encourage her to be whatever she wants to be in her version of when she ‘grows up’, including animals. I will think outside the box when it comes to my kids’ futures. Law, sales, marketing, esthetics, teaching, these don’t sound all that exciting when you could be a bumble bee instead. Or a bunny. Or a lion. Or a blue tongued skink.
We all know that the age of innocence is entirely too short, and I want no part of decreasing that magical time. While Ella’s dream of becoming a bumble bee will sadly not become a reality, it is her reality now. I will cherish that. And anyone who wants to take a swat at that dream will surely get stung.
A married and messy Mom of three children three years old and under and Stepmom to a beautiful and fabulous teenager, Stephanie Choquette of Waterloo, Ontario co-owns (with her Mom!) an online e-tail store full of sassy stuff for spunky kids (www.thespottedmonkey.com) and has a dedicated following on her wildly popular blog called The Dirty Mommy Club (www.dirtymommyclub.com). She is currently on maternity leave from her corporate career.