It's been quite some time since we called her that nickname and it just feels wrong to keep using the term on here. We have other familiar names now, but they aren't really used outside our immediate family and friends and it also isn't right to use them here.
Miss 8 likes to dance. She takes classes in hip hop, jazz and tap and can't decide which she likes best. She likes to sing and has joined the school choir, she would also like to take singing lessons, but doesn't want to sing in front of people, probably ever.
Books are her other thing. She was blessed with the ability to learn words fast and to read through books at an alarming rate. I think she would like to run her own book club, but you need to be able to read a book a night to keep up with her pace and I can't keep it up myself.
This girl knows what clothes she will and won't wear and is very clear on it. No frills, no bows, no skirts, not dresses. There is to be nothing too girly and nothing that looks like boys clothes. They should not be too big and baggy or too short in the arms (which is currently every jumper she has). Clothes must be totally comfortable at all times, providing access to cartwheel and do middle splits in case the need should arise for such a thing. Shoes can be sneakers, runners, trainers or dance shoes.
She is funny and has lot of questions for anyone that will sit quietly enough to allow her to ask them and answer them properly. She can tell a great story. This girl has very little tolerance for injustice which can cause her much angst as she tries to work through why people act the way they do and why some people live with so little.
She also understands social media. How it works and what is appropriate and from this she has made her own request. No longer is her photo to be on Instagram or Facebook without her consent.
This will make my yearly instagram photo album a little less family focussed but it's a request I will obey. It will mean me being a bit more creative with how I collate our stories. This blog is my story and Miss 8 is a big part of that, she will remain in the discussion, but in a different way than when she was younger.
It's all just another part of growing up.
I love that you've shared so much of her in this post, even if you can't post pictures of her without her permission. I ask my 8yo now too, and he always says "YES!" (Thank goodness!)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Popps! xxx
I think she will probably want to write her own posts Kym! (P.S not her birthday, which I have probably made it sound like) opps.
DeleteWhat a great post, at what age did Miss 8 decide when and what she wears? Am wondering I should give my boy more choice now that he's four, there are standards to uphold afterall:) I am so inspired to do the same record of my boy now too! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Stephanie, both of my girls have decided what they were wearing from a very young age. My only thing is that it must be weather appropriate. This can be hard to do as they sometimes want to wear wacky looking colours/stripes/spots etc, I have also been known to hide clothes that I really really don't like because if they don't see them they usually forget about them!
DeleteChaos started dictating what he would and would not wear before he could articulate the words "I do not like overalls because they totally cut me in half, mum" (Picking at his crotch with a pained expression and helpfully laying down with his legs in the air about a millisecond after I asked him if he'd like to change pants was my clue that he wasn't keen).
DeleteBoth my kids are fashion policemen - I started taking Chaos (11) to pick his own clothes once he hit about 7 or 8, although I am pretty good at picking stuff he'll like. He's madly keen on quirky/geeky tshirts, so I've been getting shirts from Think Geek and Pop Culture for him for a while. He likes denim shorts and skinny jeans. Mayhem is 8, and has his own standards of dress. Shorts. Not denim. Ever. Tshirt. Doesn't care what's on it. The idea of long pants is laughable, and as for jumpers of any description... pfft. Hopefully he'll be still flexible with tshirts in about three years when he starts getting his brother's hand me downs!
As for the picture taking... no kids pics EVER on Instagram, and pics with their permission on the Farcebook. I even ask if I can send a pic to their dad. Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. (Then I just show him when he gets home!)
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting. You're right, it's all part of growing up I guess. I haven't had to think much about it yet because Mr 6 is fine with me putting his photo on FB and Instagram (I never tag the ones he's in though). I wonder if he'll start objecting in a few years! Great post. Visiting via FYBF :)
ReplyDeleteHow awesome is she and very mature for 8! It kind of scares me though. I was quite clueless about most things at 8, although I know my daughter is going to be super wise by then, she's already wise beyond her years x
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous young lady you have Claire.
ReplyDeleteShe is one gorgeous little girl hun. I have the same rule with my older 2 kids- they need to check every photo before it is posted and if I write about them, I need to run it past them first. Totally fair in my opinion. 100% respect to you xx
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