Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Independence Day


"BY MYSELF!" This is the phrase I have heard more than any other over the last 5 days. Daphne wants to do everything by herself lately. For the most part, I couldn't be happier to hear those words. I am tired of wiping her bum, frankly. So I don't mind that she wants me to take a little break from that. And carrying her dishes to the sink after every meal isn't something I will miss terribly either. If it makes her feel grown up to do it, fine. It doesn't bother me when she says she wants to get into and out of the car by herself either; I have another child to unload while she works on getting up into or down out of her car seat.


But I'd like to do a little tweaking to the list of "by myself" things. I'd like to add to it, mostly. I'd love to see her go to bed BY HERSELF. I'd be fine if she made all her meals BY HERSELF. And if she decided she just had to do her laundry BY HERSELF, I wouldn't complain much. I realize that she's three years old, but the washing machine's buttons are very easy to read.


I think I'd also like to get her to accept the "by myself" phrase coming from me. As in, "Daphne, I'd like to eat this cake BY MYSELF." Or "Daphne, do you think it would be OK if I went to the bathroom BY MYSELF this time?" Maybe even, "Hey, how about if Mommy got to spend one half minute making a few phone calls BY HERSELF?"


Ya, this BY MYSELF thing might just work out.



(p.s. I did not manufacture that picture for this post. It was taken during an actual demonstration of "by myself.")

9 comments:

rachel said...

That picture is priceless! I feel you on this one...especiall the "can mommy go to the bathroom by herself"!

Hildie said...

So true! What do you think she would do if you started doing that "by myself" thing? You should try it.

tammy said...

That picture is priceless! Oh...Rachel just said that. I'm thinking good material for her wedding day here.

Mindi said...

yeah, dream ON, girl. i haven't gone to the bathroom by myself for the past 14 years.

not kidding.

Christie said...

I tried to comment earlier, but blogger kept freezing up on me. But I wanted to tell you that I literally laughed out loud at that picture. Totally priceless. And, I hate to break this too you, but as independent as little miss G has become, I'm still wiping her butt. Her arms still aren't long enough to really get in there.

Chelsea said...

I SO feel you on this one. Sawyer is just now hitting the "by myself" stage but in general it means more work for me in the long run. I'm waiting for the day when I have kids who can do chores and clean my whole house for me while I relax with a cup of tea. :D

Great picture! That is priceless.

Suzie said...

BEST PHOTO EVER!!!!!

Mia said...

Oh yes by myself does work both ways! I would love to go to the bathroom by myself for a change ;)

alex dumas said...

The picture says it all. Classic.