I know the ibuprofen has kicked in because I can hear my 10-year-old, home from school with a headache and a slight fever, bumping around in my closet.
I had tucked her into my bed to watch scary movies and eat Halloween candy, just like my mother used to do when I was sick.
Okay, that's not true. My mother sent us to school 180 days a year, fever or no. And she didn't buy the Halloween candy until Halloween, whereas I will have to restock the black cat candy bowl three times before the first trick or treater shows up. And I don't remember ever being allowed in her bed.
But that is not to say there was anything wrong with the no-nonsense, no candy in bed, mandatory school attendance style of parenting practiced by my mother's generation. They just didn't know any better.
My point is, I recognized the sounds of a closet raid from downstairs. By the time I reach my bedroom, she is clomping around in my spikey-heeled boots and has started to rifle through my sweater drawer.
So I can totally relate to Michelle Slatalla's column in today's New York Times. I feel your pain Michelle. Except that my daughter has grown into my wardrobe way ahead of schedule.
I try telling her that wearing your mother's clothes is patently uncool, no matter how unbelievably stylish your mother may be. But she knows she looks good.
Photo: Sick day, 2008
SK - I had my laugh for today!! Love, Mom
Posted by: SK's Mom | October 30, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Good post.
Posted by: Audubon Ron | October 30, 2008 at 01:00 PM
I love that your daughter's got a paper plate for her candy fix, which means it's a proper meal.
My daughter struts around in my black heels and the negligee I wore on my honeymoon, and my head simply explodes.
Posted by: all things BD | October 30, 2008 at 01:41 PM
My 23-year-old daughter has the best of both worlds - a freakishly unstylish mother she can laugh at, who nevertheless loves shoes. On someone else. So... even though shopping tires me out and bores me, she knows the drill - get me to the shoe section at Macy's (was Marshall Field's, I went there for the mints) and before anyone knows it, she has at minimum of one new pair of shoes, courtesy of a mom who insists on buying them for her. Because they're so ferociously cute on her. I love shopping for shoes if I don't have to wear them. Come to think of it, best of both worlds for me too.
Posted by: Sue | October 30, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Now I'm all worried because Hippie doesn't raid my closet. Does that mean I'm not nearly as cool as I thought I was?
Posted by: Cat | November 03, 2008 at 02:01 PM
My 8 year old does that, too. Someone needs to stop him.
Posted by: Mr Lady | November 04, 2008 at 12:59 PM