My daughter longs for the life we shared when she was little. Simpler, easier. In her mind everything was just the way she wanted. She misses Easter dinner, candy, spoiling grandparents, aunts and uncles. (Who wouldn’t?) But the day to day living here at home is foggy when she remembers it. Maybe selective is a better word.
She did not like bedtime. Or baths. Or any of the necessary activities, like her school or my work, that interrupted whatever she was doing to occupy herself. I will say that when she was smaller the behavior problems were smaller. Or, maybe, because she was smaller, I could physically manage her behavior more easily. I could pick her up and deposit her in her crib. Or her room
Now that she is nearly an adult, she wants the freedoms that come with adulthood, without any understanding of the responsibilities that it brings (this is typical teenager behavior, I know.)
The problem is, while she is big (grown up) on the outside , she is still little (maybe 5 or 6) on the inside. She does not have the capacity to manage either the freedoms or the responsibilities that come with adulthood. I’m very grateful for the crew of social workers, teachers, and aides that help her manage her day to day chores and behavior. It makes me hopeful for her future.
While I enjoyed both of my children when they were little, I am so very grateful they are big.
From my perspective 