I’m pretty sure if child-labor laws weren’t in place my son Jo-Jo would quit preschool, trade in his sweater for a suit and get a job. He’s four going on 40. His latest revelations that lead me to believe he wants to be more of a man than a minor are the following comments he made to me:
Jo-Jo: “Mommy I don’t want to go to school.”
Me: “Why?”
Jo-Jo: “Because I already know everything.”
Me, head tilted to the side, eyebrows furrowed. Look of confusion.
On another day…
Jo-Jo: “I’m tired of being small. I hate being small. I want to be big.”
Me, head tilted to the side, eyebrows furrowed. Look of confusion.
On another day…
JoJo: “Mommy I need to work-out for 4 minutes. I need muscles.” *Picks up dumbells*
Me, head tilted to the side, eyebrows furrowed. Look of confusion.
On another day…
Jo-Jo: “Mommy I have a girlfriend at school. Her name is Diana.”
Me, head tilted to the side, eyebrows furrowed. Shaking my damn head.
I know there comes a time when kids grow up and need us parents a little less. I get that. Been there. I have a 20-year-old. But I don’t remember it happening so early on. My son is only 4 and he’s talking like a grown little man. All I want to do is kiss his face, hug him and call him my little “bubba,” but already at 4 he’s pretty tired of me. I get in his way of being a man like his daddy. I “baby” him and hell if he wants to be a baby. I’m so not ready for this yet.
My husband laughs. He thinks it’s the funniest thing ever and says he was the exact same way when he was little. Basically he said he was a grown man in a little man’s body like my son seems to be. And he just wanted to grow up fast and be a man. So I’m stepping back, trying to baby Jo-Jo a little less and allowing him to be the man he wants so badly to be. Well, kinda. I’m letting him THINK he’s being a man. Trying not to stifle his “little” manhood.
It’s bad enough my 10-year-old Kaitlin asked me for red lipstick and make-up the other day. *DEAD FISH EYES*
I told her nicely but sternly that she was too young for make-up but I could negotiate and settle for a little lip gloss. The thing is, you want kids to think they’re winning and getting their way without coming off as a strict parent.
So this weekend. I’m taking Kaitlin to pick out some lipgloss and a little jewelry. We’ll have a little girl-time and I’ll reassure her that she is amazingly beautiful without make-up and that mommy only uses it to cover up her war wounds. (lol)
She’s heading toward those teenage years so it won’t be long before she’ll make up her own mind about a few things. But I’ll keep planting those seeds to assure her that she’s a special, rare flower and that she needs to believe that and own her awesomeness. 
As for my son… I’m sure there will come a time where I become uncool and won’t be able to call him my “bubba” and my mushy kisses will be forever forbidden in public. My son will mature and grow into that muscular man he wants to be. My heart aches because I know the day is coming. But I wouldn’t trade my heart-aching experiences watching my kids grow and eventually go, for anything in the world.
Kids go grow up so quick. I truly understand being a mom of two girls. My eleven year old girl ask for lipstick also and I said the same thing. Last week I went Rite-Aid and I saw some Nivea lip balm plus it was free with my coupon. It has a little gloss and comes in strawberry and cherry. So we both are happy. My four year old is in jewelry so Target dollar section and dollar store see me frequently.
Thanks Janelle! Good to hear when other moms are going through the same thing. I’ll hit Rite-Aid and grab up some lip balm too. I’m thinking my daughter is seeing girls in school with lip gloss and pocketbooks and such. Guess it’s just a pre-teen thing right? LOL
Ha ha ha!! My 11 year old is already in the stage to where he doesn’t want me to call him my baby in public and forget a kiss. He acts as if I’m asking him to give me a kidney. My 12 year old daughter thank goodness isn’t into make up so far. Well if she is given lip gloss she will go to town on it until we take it but she hasn’t actually asked for us to purchase it for her yet. I suspect it’s only a matter of time though.