Cozy in bed, I open my eyes. The day before me is replete with promise. I hear footsteps coming down the stairs and my teenage daughter is at my door.
“How do I look?” she asks.
The dreaded words—the words that make me hold my breath. At first I pause. Then I take a second to think. Finally, with hesitation, I give the answer. “Great, you look adorable,” I say as I gasp for air and wait for a response. She does not move. It seems I am not yet off the hook.
“Does my hair look good?”
Once again, I pause. Then, I think. Finally, I answer.
“Yes, it looks good,” I say casually and with confidence. “Thanks a lot” she whines sarcastically as she walks away.
Parenting 101 at 7:15 a.m. and I have already failed.
Determined to turn failure into success, I spend the day mulling over my mistake. I come up with a plan for tomorrow.
Cozy in bed, I open my eyes. The day before me is replete with promise, yet I am filled with fearful anticipation. My teenage daughter appears at my bedroom door.
“How do I look?” she asks.
I proceed with my prepared answer: “Do you like the way you look?” I cross my fingers and hope.
“Thanks Mom. That’s a big help,” she sneers with sarcasm as she walks away. Failed again.
My daughter wants my opinion, or so it seems. She wants neutrality, or so I suspect. She wants me to lie, or so I worry. NO!
She simply wants to set me up.
One more try, I tell myself. I must not give up. Tomorrow, I will be ready.
Cozy in bed, I open my eyes. The day before me is replete with promise and I have no fear. The shower is warm, and my new shampoo smells great. My teenage daughter is at my bathroom door.
“How do I look?” she asks.
“What honey?” I ask. “ I can’t hear you. Have a great day and I’ll see you after school!” My daughter turns and walks away.
Hmm, I think. This shampoo really does smell great.
