Time to Put on My Big Girl Panties
As a Mom I have been presented with a multitude of opportunities to put on my 'big girl panties"... those times when I would prefer to shrink from a given situation, those times when I would prefer to take the easy way out, those times I wish there was someone else who could clean-up the mess & deal with the chaos, and those times that I would prefer to allow anxiety to take control. In these moments I find myself faced with a cross roads...give into my insecurities, weaknesses & anxiety OR put on my big girl panties and face the situation head on with a smile and courage?
When I was a teenager I hated almost everything about high school formal dances! I hated shopping for a dress, I hated wearing that fancy dress, I hated having to get all fancied up to go on a date, I hated the awkwardness of the date (usually with a boy I didn't know super well), I hated the fuss that went into those dances, I hated going to eat at a nice restaurant, and the list goes on. I would have much preferred to be the girl who was home alone the night of Homecoming, Winter Ball or Prom. That is where I would have felt more comfortable and at ease.
Thus secretly, or not so secretly, I wished, hoped and prayed that my daughters would never get asked to a formal high school dance. I secretly hoped that there wouldn't be enough boys to go around, so they wouldn't get asked. I secretly wished they would be just socially awkward enough that no boy would ask. I secretly hoped that we could be out of town every time a dance would come along.
A few weeks ago, I had a decision to make...scream, cry & throw a tantrum because my secret wish had been dashed to pieces OR put on my big girl panties?
Rachel had a track meet at Elizabeth's school. Elizabeth was going to just stay after her track practice to help at the meet. When I met up with Elizabeth I asked her how practice was. She gave the usual report then casually, with a tone of surprise mentioned that she had been asked to prom.
I can't remember what my initial outward reaction was, but I very well remember my inward reaction, "WHAT?? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? NO!!!!" Elizabeth is only a sophomore and just barely turned 16, so I assumed we would have at least another year before I had to deal with this!
It was time for this momma to put on her big girl panties and help my little Miss Elizabeth have a wonderful experience!
But I kept those big girl panties on and persevered through my own feelings, keeping focused on the excitement that was building for Elizabeth of the opportunity to go to prom.
We found a dress, we altered a dress (that is a post in it self for another time), we found shoes, she found a friend to do her hair, she got ready, she was beautiful, she felt like a princess, her date picked her up ...
When I was a teenager I hated almost everything about high school formal dances! I hated shopping for a dress, I hated wearing that fancy dress, I hated having to get all fancied up to go on a date, I hated the awkwardness of the date (usually with a boy I didn't know super well), I hated the fuss that went into those dances, I hated going to eat at a nice restaurant, and the list goes on. I would have much preferred to be the girl who was home alone the night of Homecoming, Winter Ball or Prom. That is where I would have felt more comfortable and at ease.
Thus secretly, or not so secretly, I wished, hoped and prayed that my daughters would never get asked to a formal high school dance. I secretly hoped that there wouldn't be enough boys to go around, so they wouldn't get asked. I secretly wished they would be just socially awkward enough that no boy would ask. I secretly hoped that we could be out of town every time a dance would come along.
A few weeks ago, I had a decision to make...scream, cry & throw a tantrum because my secret wish had been dashed to pieces OR put on my big girl panties?
Rachel had a track meet at Elizabeth's school. Elizabeth was going to just stay after her track practice to help at the meet. When I met up with Elizabeth I asked her how practice was. She gave the usual report then casually, with a tone of surprise mentioned that she had been asked to prom.
I can't remember what my initial outward reaction was, but I very well remember my inward reaction, "WHAT?? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? NO!!!!" Elizabeth is only a sophomore and just barely turned 16, so I assumed we would have at least another year before I had to deal with this!
After we got the usual questions out of the way...
Who asked you? Cayden Robles
Did you have any idea he would ask you? No!
How did he ask you? at the end of there run at practice with flowers and a sign.
What did you say? Yes!
When is it? April 21st
Do you want to go? I think it will be fun
...reality set in...
Where are we going to find you a dress?
When are we going to find you a dress?
Where will we find you shoes?
It was time for this momma to put on her big girl panties and help my little Miss Elizabeth have a wonderful experience!
...frustation came for a visit & discouragement ran by...
But I kept those big girl panties on and persevered through my own feelings, keeping focused on the excitement that was building for Elizabeth of the opportunity to go to prom.
We found a dress, we altered a dress (that is a post in it self for another time), we found shoes, she found a friend to do her hair, she got ready, she was beautiful, she felt like a princess, her date picked her up ...
...and she had a great time!
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