Back Pretties

Princess: Hey Mom. I can do my very own back pretty!
Me: What? I never got around to helping you learn how to do that.
Princess: I figured it out from watching you do yours. Wanna see?
Me: Sure. (Thinking there is no way she’ll do it.)

Princess walks into the bedroom, throws her hair back, and wraps it in a nice neat knot with a ponytail holder. It’s actually good! Flawless, really. She twisted the pretty and pulled the hair through like she’d been doing it for years. She’s very proud of herself. I’m commending her on how awesome it is and how great of a job she did! Princess bounces out of her bedroom, smiling from ear to ear, heading to the bathroom to check out her handy work. From the bathroom, I hear those crushing words . . .

Princess: Hey guess what? Now I don’t need you in here anymore!

WHAT?! I wanted to scream “You do TOOOOOOOO NEED ME!!! Your ponytail sucks! You do too still need my help. I. Am. Your. MOTHER! You will always NEED ME.” Instead, while holding back tears . . .

Me: You’re right. You did an excellent job and don’t need me to do your back pretties anymore. That’s awesome, Princess!

Then she saved me . . .

Princess: But I’m still not very good at combing my own hair, so can you still help me do that? And can you teach me how to do pigtails, because I can’t do those yet. And reading books. Even though I can read, I still want you to read me stories before bed. And I’m not real good at tying my shoes tight, so sometimes, can you still do that for me? I also like to cuddle on your lap when we watch movies. And . . . and . . . and . . .
Me: Of course I will, Princess. I’d love to do those things for you. Now go brush your teeth.
Princess: Can you help me brush my teeth? I’m so TIIIIRRRREEDDD!