May 27, 2009

The Mother-Daughter Breakfast


Yesterday morning was the annual Mother-daughter breakfast at my daughter's elementary school. Families whose last names begin with the letters A-M were instructed to come to the school cafeteria promptly at 8:00am and pay $5.25 for a healthy breakfast consisting of a sausage, cheese and egg McMuffin, a doughnut, and a carton of chocolate milk.

Normally I welcome such healthy starts to the day, but as I sat at a table with my daughter and two of her classmates, I began to lose my appetite.

"I'm going to poke a hole in my doughnut with my finger right now!" said Mary. And she did.
"I'm going to pour chocolate milk into my holes," said Lucy.

Camber reached for her chocolate milk, but I cut her off at the pass. "Don't even think about it," I said.

My cruelty ruined what had promised to be a moment of special mother-daughter bonding. After shoving her food tray across the table, my daughter spent the rest of the breakfast with her arms folded across her chest. "I'm not eating that Egg McMuffin unless it's dipped in chocolate milk," she vowed.

"So be it," I said. Two minutes later, she reconsidered and ate her Egg McMuffin, making sure to gag and cough whenever she caught my gaze.

"Thanks for letting me come to the Mother-Daughter breakfast," I said on my way out. "I had a great time."

"I had a disgusting time," she replied.

"I love you" I said as I walked out the door.
"Wait!" she squealed, running toward me. "You forgot to give me a hug!"

I obliged before the pendulum carrying my daughter's moods swung out of my favor once again.

29 comments

pan x 8 said...

That's so funny! I love spending great time with my kids yet still end up gritting my teeth and out right yelling at them right before we go and have a good time.

Good times, good times...

Alicia said...

Ha Ha! That seems like and everyday event for me.

Carrie said...

That's great! I love your posts!

Managed Chaos said...

I've so had those type of loving exchanges with both my kids. Don't you love how they always share their "best" behaviour with their parents, LOL.

Diva Ma @ Mommy Fabulous said...

Love it! It's funny how when they are you, no matter what you do, they can't resisit the urge to love you. I'm so not looking forward to the grudge-holding, attitude-filled preteen and teen years!

Connie said...

Only those lucky people whose last name fell within the alphabet boundaries were able to enjoy the lovely breakfast? You ARE lucky!

I've eaten lunch with my kids at school and there's nothing quite like it...especially when you're surrounded by 20 other kids, poking fingers in food and pouring chocolate milk on every morsel. Yes, it's a great dieting strategy.

Foursons said...

*sigh* Why didn't I get to have girls? Oh yeah, BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE GONE ABSOLUTELY MAD!

Anonymous said...

Just wait until the pre-pubescent hormones start kicking in! ;o)

Jackie in GA

Karen said...

OY! How old is she? Too young to be doing the "teenage" thing, huh?

Leilani said...

A mother-daughter tea and a mother-daughter breakfast. Don't the dads get some of the love?

MarMar said...

My daughter just turned six last month and she acts the same way...do you ever get the impression we're dealing with little teenagers here? I am dreading when she hits puberty.

Christa said...

oh I await these days with much anticipation!

AmyK said...

Yeah...wait till she's 9... ;-)

Hillori said...

You gotta love it! We roll our eyes, but my sister in law who is unable to have children would pay a million dollars for our hilarious experiences that drive us crazy. Us moms are truly blessed. And Camber for you giving her boundaries. And for having a great sense of humor. Kudos!

Maree said...

My 6-yr-old daughter has been in permanent PMS since she was 18-months old. I'm so glad to know that I'm not alone! Thanks for helping us smile about things that drive us crazy!

Lee said...

OMG, I am totally laughing! I have had this same thing happen. Like all Mother's if I were to have feelings they would have been hurt a time or two. Thank Heavens I don't. That way I am always ready with a squeeze and a kiss... even if the squeeze at times it to tight. LOL

Unknown said...

Ahhhh so true so true.
My girls (twins) are almost 16, and moodiness never stops, but they don't make me want to gag with food anymore.

cd said...

I love how much she says disgusting...it makes me laugh every time.

Jen@Scrapingirl said...

That is something my kids would totally do. Kids are crazy, aren't they.

sarahandmatt said...

During the sacrament last Sunday, my five-year-old son screamed, "I hate you Mom" and then promptly slapped my face. I was mortified, of course, and trying to decide what to do when he climbed on my lap and snuggled into my chest. What the?!

Lori said...

You are a master story teller. Your blog always makes my day. Thank you.

The Mother said...

We should, perhaps, be grateful for the small favor of having avoided chocolate milk spit-takes.

Twinlinebackers said...

This post includes about 6 reasons why I homeschool. Thank you for the encouragement to continue on my path and avoid forced "bonding" moments at the school's discretion.

Gina said...

I am dealing with that lovely mood pendulum too. And my kid is only 2. Awesome. I can't believe you have to pay for the mother-daughter breakfast! Our moms at our school get disgusting muffins for free. And dads get donuts. Seriously. What's up with that?

Jana said...

"Just wait until she's nine"

So I have heard!!! I was just asked to run the Activity Day Girls Group at our church (the female version of Cub Scouts--ages 8-11) so I'm about ready to get a crash course in tween behavior!!!!

Kiki said...

I have a Lovely Blog Award for you over at my blog The Babble Bubble. Take care.
-Kiki

Rags said...

I love you! I thought I was the only one whose child hated them...but then insisted on a hug before leaving. You know they love us.....*sigh*

Liv @ One Year of Beauty said...

I am totally going to steal that line from your daughter - "I had a disgusting time!" It's so over the top, I love it! ;o)

Anonymous said...

Awesome post. I revel in the moments that I can tell my kids "So what?" "Doesn't matter to me?" "Then I guess you won't eat at all, will you?" So your "So be it" nearly slayed me!

My best, Lynn

Playing with their food, seriously? Whose raising those girls?