Expectations

As a parent, it is so easy to raise the bar high for your child with the intention of wanting the best for them. I think about my daughter Zoe. She is almost 13-years old and concluding her grade 7 year at elementary school. In no time, she will transform from a tweenager to TEENAGER and heading into high school in the fall. In preparation for this state of change in my child’s life, my husband and I have been scrolling through thousands of pictures of her so that we can send 4 to one of the parents as we embark on preparing for the Grade 7 School Leaving Ceremony.

Thank goodness for digital. We have so many fun pictures of Zoe from when she was a baby-bub, tumbly-toddler, and testy-tween. There are so many parts of her that has changed and will continue to change. There is so much of her that is the same. I love how we NAG her to do her homework, pick up their dishes and clothes, and take a bath (please). This is a right of passage for all parents… and not my favourite part. We also NAG her to do her best. We realize that she may not be the best volleyball player, the best basketball player, the best mountain biker, the best swimmer, the best softball player, or the best WHATEVER… but look at what she has done!!! She has done way more than me… and easily surpassed my husband and I by the age of 12.

I am so proud of my daughter. It’s not the time to dwell about how many A’s and B’s she got, the wins or losses, or number of ribbons she collects. She continues to try, she has fun with what she is doing, and she is able to put things into perspective. Yes, I still think that she is a tornado whirling around making a mess of my house and loses homework (and clothing) here and there. That’s besides the point. She is always willing to jump in. She is her toughest critic. Personally, I am her biggest fan and advocate. In my eyes, she’s a superstar and I can only hope to be just like her.