The other day at Elena’s
swimming lessons, while waiting their turns, the girls started calling out
hellos to their moms. They were all just being silly & having fun. One of
the girls called out, “Hi Mommy & Daddy” waving at her parents. My little
copycat waves at me & calls out, “Hi Mommy & Daddy!!”
Later, at home, I
brought it up with Elena. I knew the topic of daddies was coming up more often
than usual with Father’s Day nearing so wanted to initiate a conversation. I
also knew she would have more awareness this year than ever before too.
I asked her why
she’d called out “mommy & daddy” to me & she replied simply, “Because I
wanted to.” Ooo-kaaay.
I said, “You
remember that we are a mommy & kid family, right?” & she said, “and
Gramma & Raina & GiGi &…” & named a bunch of the people we
call family. Yes, of course.
Then I asked her, “If someone asks you if you have a daddy, what do you
tell them?” She replied confidently, “I have a Gramma instead!” That's pretty good.
I then asked if
they were working on crafts at preschool for Father’s Day. She confirmed they
were so I asked her who she thought she’d make her craft for. I was thinking maybe
she would say me but instead she said Fifi. Fifi is what Elena calls our neighbor,
Felicia. How sweet!
It also confirmed
to me that Elena doesn’t see me as her dad any more than I would try to fill
that role. I am her Mom, period. It was something on my mind after a few conversations
on some SMC boards recently. I was very curious what Elena’s perspective was.
These
conversations put my mind at ease. I think, at this point, it is safe to say
that Elena is pretty well adjusted.
P.S. Today is my
5 year Inseminaversary!!!! How do 5 years fly by so fast?
