Take for example the talk we had tonight when I went outside on the veranda and she followed me out (they say don’t smoke around kids, but they don’t mention what to do when they follow you around like a sticky fart)
Me – how does it feel being 6 now kiddo?
Kiddo - *shrugs* ok.
M – You don’t like being 6? It’s a good age.
K – There is so much that I have to do
M – That’s what happens when you grow up
K – it’s the responsibilities. Daddy says I have them now. I have to keep a look out for toddler and baby (her younger sisters, aged 18months and 4months respectively), and help out around the house
M – Well, that’s what being a big sister is all about. I was a big sister to daddy when we were little
K – *squinty 6 year old look* I don’t believe you
M – Why? You don’t believe that I am a big sister to daddy?
K – No, cos daddy is older than you!
M – Ha ha, bless you my child, but I am older than daddy. It’s cos I am short isn’t it?
K – Yes. I’m almost as tall as you; soon I will be TALLER than you
M – Thanks, that makes ME feel better about myself
K – *evil giggles* haha
M - Hmm yea. Anyhow, the point is, we all grow up and have responsibilities that we don’t like to do, but have to do it anyways. And on the plus side, you will be taller than me!
K - I can’t deal with all the crap (Wha? Not my influence surely as a loving aunt with a big mouth, and with lipstick and lollies in my handbag) *waves arms around expansively* there has to be more to life than this.
M - Uh oh. What crap are we talking about?
K - I had to set the table last night
M – Yeah?
K - And I had to eat ALL my dinner before I could leave the table
M – Uhh huh
K - ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL of my dinner. *wails* you’re not listening to me!
M – I am listening. Just wait til you reach adulthood kiddo, you wish that setting the table and eating ALLLLLLL your dinner was the least of your problems.
K - You mean it gets worse? *evil eye*
M - Yup, just wait til you get a crappy job to pay the bills, and you struggle to make a living as an artist.
K - Is your life crap?
M - Babycakes, It’s a great big pile of steaming crap at times. So enjoy the all the good times of being under 12
K - I don’t want to grow up, there are too many responsibilities. I want someone to read me a bedtime story forever.
So happy birthday my beautiful niece, may all your years be like reading bedtime stories!
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a most excellent birthday present to herself, a beard drawn onto her doll!
