Poodle Skirt Envy
Last night was the big Girl Scout Sock Hop, where all the little girls dress in 50’s style and dance to a DJ in the school gym. On Thursday, my daughter asked if I would make her a poodle skirt because, “Alyssa’s mom made her one.”
No time, nor inclination led me to reassure her that while she wouldn’t have a poodle skirt, we’d make sure she looked “50’s” with a scarf around her ponytail, rolled jeans, etc. That seemed to be OK with her.
When we arrived, however, and this child saw the sea of girls in poodle skirts and even some moms in poodle skirts, she stopped cold in her tracks and would not enter the gym.
So, for half an hour she pouted just outside the gym door, causing all her friends to take turns trying to get her to come in, feel sorry for her, etc. I was furious, of course. You could tell she was eating up the attention. So finally I said, ten minutes more and we’re going home. The clock ticked away for another three or so until she asked, “What do I have to do to stay?” Dance, I said, or at least go play with the other girls in the gym.
Finally she gave up and went running off to dance and have a good time. At this point I really wanted to go home, of course, and could not stop thinking about everything I had to do for Saturday (two big family events back to back) but when My Sharona started to play, I piled my stuff in the corner and decided to show those girls how it’s done.
We danced for another half hour or so … I was so proud to discover that my daughter knows every word to Respect (finger wagging, head bobbing; hilarious). We were quite the team. Mother/daughter act for the next Talent Show? Hmmmmmm. As long as I a) don’t have to make a poodle skirt and b) don’t have to wear a poodle skirt.