A mother-daughter birthday gift

By Amy H.

My daughter turned three, and as the big day approached what she wanted for her birthday present changed faster than a photo-enforced traffic light.

Early in the decision-making process she wanted a Barbie. Then her brother found his old Spiderman mask and began wearing it regularly, and so she wanted one of those. Next it was whatever pink, plastic, princess-looking trinket was placed at 3-year-old eye level at the checkout stand. Argh.

So when Isa finally made a decision that persisted over several days, across situations and despite my tempting her with pink, princess paraphernalia, you would think I would have felt relieved. However, what she wanted more than anything for her birthday present was to cut off her beautiful, thick, wavy, shoulder-length brown hair.

All off.

I tried to visualize it. No more sticky mats of syrupy strands after breakfast. No more pleading with her to let me add a hair clip here or a ponytail there only to have them ripped out moments after they were carefully put into place. No more cries of feigned agony when I would make any attempt to brush those unruly locks.

But then there was also no more beautiful, thick, wavy, shoulder-length brown hair. I wanted to cry.

Isa made her decision and we made her wish come true.

She loves her hair and wants to touch it and show it off wherever we go. When we showed up at the swimming pool, my son's 6-year old school buddy uncharacteristically declared that he wanted to marry her. Isa's delighted self-admiration is contagious.

Although I am still surprised to see my little cherubic pixie every time she enters a room, I have to admit she made a good decision and her happiness with it is truly a gift to me.

Whenever I feel the urge to brush and style some beautiful, thick, wavy, shoulder-length brown hair, I always have the Barbie from Grandma.

Amy Heesacker is a thirty-something SAHM and part-time psychology professor living in the deep South with her husband and two children.

Comments

[bilsemon]

My daughter is about to turn three too. She doesn't even know that presents are part of the birthday celebration. To her it's all about cake, balloons and friends. Really parents, they mostly learn from you. And what they learn at school/friends can be commented on by you.