Anika’s Individuality

Anika is growing up to be a fantastic and wonderful person. She is smart, intelligent and very knowledgeable in many subjects. She’s highly adaptive, and learns quickly with problems. She even beat me the other day in checkers. I lost all my pieces when I only took 2. Yah, she’s that good.

I am used to her coming to us (her parents) when she has a problem. I always think of her being young and very child like. I think every parent does. When something was wrong, always corrected the issue. Parents are caring and nurturing like that. As part of raising her, We make her aware that she has choices in things, and she has the freedom to pursue those choices. She can choose what she wants to eat, what she wants to wear, what she wants to play or do. If we make a decision, we ask our kids their opinion. It’s our basic freedom in this country. I want them to know that.

When she decides to keep things from us, it’s very unsettling. It’s her right but the parent instinct wants to take over. Annette tends to get information from her, and resolves situations as they stand. Sometimes I get information and assist in resolution to issues as well.

The point at hand is, she is becoming a grown up. She is starting to develop issues and she realizes that she has the right to do whatever she wants. I do my hardest to make her realize that as a parent, we are there. Sometimes, things may be foggy and she has a hard time realizing it. That may be the downside to things, but at the end of the day.. she knows we are there.

I applaud her knowing that she is a remarkable individual. She is capable of doing so much. It’s sometimes hard watching her grow up. Especially when I am used to her being so young.