A couple of weeks ago my daughter created a serious moment. She stopped the busy task she had been doing and said, "mama? I have a question."
"What is your question", I asked.
She took what seemed to be a deep breath and said, "MAY I have a pet?"
Oh gad no! She is asking me for a pet? At four years old??? Help me! I can barely take care of herself and myself. There is no effin' way I can handle a pet?
But she seems to have thought this through so I asked her what kind of pet she wanted.
She replied, "a fish, or a cameleon......
A cameleon? Ya right.
So, I ended the moment by promising to think about it and get back to her.
Tonight - approximately two whole weeks later - she asked again. "Mommy... when can I get my pet?"
Here is the thing. I have an issue with people who keep fish for pets. I think it is circus like. I think it's twisted to keep a living thing trapped for our viewing pleasure. Lots of people I know do it but it's not for me.
And - you know! This kid is starting to challenge me!!! First with the Barbies and now fish!
I cringe inwardly every time I have to play 'barbies'. People have suggested that Barbie is different now that she is 'Career Barbie'
Whatever! she is still wearing high heels and a top that barely covers her boobs. Furthermore she is wearing more makeup these days than any barbie of the past. Barbie doesn't look like ANY WOMAN I know. It's reinforcing an ideal of 'woman' that my daughter will never obtain, thus paving the way for self esteem damage down the line!
And isn't it a bit ironic that we play: Barbie gets married and has a family- when I'm not married?
Where do I put my foot down? I didn't realize parenting would be so political!
Do I get her a fish?
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death, I will fear no evil. For thou art with me. -Psalm 23
I have blogged about a couple of my frien...
20 hours ago
6 comments:
It gets even more challenging when she starts telling you things other people tell her! I say, no on the fish. They have short life spans and then you'll be faced with having the conversation on death and all that.
no.
get her a fish. why not? not much upkeep. i have five dogs. maybe i'm the dog lady? ... oh well :)
nice to meet you, fellow single mom.
Your post is really heart touching.. I am glad I visited here and come to know about it.. Its a great post..
Ugh. So hard. Mine keep asking me about pets too. We might get fish. Stay tuned.
mine begged for a pet and we ended up with a kitten that now lives out in the garage because I couldn't stand it in the house. With the pooping in the closet and the fleas, etc.
Now that it's an outdoor cat it's great though. lol What about a hamster? Or a turtle? what's wrong with a gecko? they just sit under their little lamp and eat bugs...
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