Maybe she came into herself because she finally graduated out of the booster seat. Maybe she decided that 8 was old enough to be a young woman who could become a homemaker-in-training. Or she thought going into 3rd grade was a Big Kid thing. Or getting to attend Activity Day Girls was the best thing ever. Or maybe it was getting baptized.
I suppose it could be my trying harder to look at her with new eyes. I consciously let her shed the last 7 years of tantrums and eye rolls and decided she was a good girl who really loved her family. I let her know that I wanted her. I bit my tongue when I wanted to say what was really going through my head. I prayed to see her differently.
I think it was all of the above. She still has her bad days, as all of us do. But now, she is a daughter I actually enjoy being around most of the time. I am still blown away when I ask her to help me with something and she cheerfully accepts! I hardly ever have to send her to her room, and even when I do, she can compose herself instead of tearing things off the walls and bed and destroying her belongings. She's usually very patient when playing games with her brothers now, especially when I know how frustrating it can be with someone who makes up complicated rules and insists on everything his way. Little Miss Know-it-all hasn't been so snippy or as nosy, but instead contributes kindly to conversations. I really enjoy that she tells me everything about her life. She is sweet and cuddly and happy! The beautiful blue-eyed dimple girl has lost the curl in the middle of her forehead.
I don't know if it will last, but I am basking in her agreeable nature. Let me ride the wave and maybe it won't wash away when the real teenage years roll in.
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