I really want you to come on my class trip and spend the day with me and meet my teachers and my friends. Oh my god, please don’t talk to me or any of my friends—you are so embarrassing and for the love of all things holy please stop singing so loudly people can hear you. You have such beautiful dresses can I look in your closet to see if there’s anything you might want to give me as a hand-me-down have you shrunk anything in the laundry this week? Hmmm? ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO GO OUT OF THE HOUSE IN THAT? Really? Teach me how to take photos like you do—you are so good. Don’t you know anything about Instagram oh em gee, Mama, the kissy face is awesome stop telling me what to do why are are you always judging me do you think I’m a bad photographer? I love you so much you are so pretty cuddle me mama come and talk about boys I want a t-shirt from Brandy Melville I hope I grow up to look just like you. I hate you don’t look at me don’t even talk to me you are the worst you don’t understand anything about my life why are you still looking at me stop looking at me you are the worst. I want to live across the street from you when I’m older so I can still see you every day because I would miss you too much you are my most favorite shopping buddy let’s go online and look at dresses can I show you the dance I choreographed I think you are amazing, like, you are the best writer ever and one day I hope to write as well as you you are so beautiful you have the best hair I wish I had hair as nice as yours and let me practice my waterfall braid on you. Stop looking at me stop talking about me I know that you love Isabella and Joshie more than you love me you are the worst I know you think I’m bad at math whatever I wish I had never been born I wish I didn’t have to live in this house you never listen to me you are so unbelievably unfair I am not a little kid I should be able to do whatever I want It’s all your fault. Can we go see a movie together can I borrow your green t-shirt you have the best style will you teach me to wear makeup like you wear it you are so nice let’s snuggle and cuddle and hang out want me to give you the chills and play with your hair and then we can switch my friends think you’re, like, the coolest mom ever thank you thank you thank you I want to hold your hand because I just love you so very much please don’t ever let go.

Don’t look at me. 

Why aren’t you looking at me?

Frustrating? Yes. Daily. Hourly. Minute-ly.

Worth it? Absolutely.