Queen & I

The Queen and I

By Heike Boehnke-Sharp

I am used to the fact that my 4 year old daughter is a strong woman disguised in a small body. Yet, she never ceases to amaze me.

One afternoon, we were sitting at the table having a snack, when she stated “Momma, I am going to be the Queen of the house today.” “ok” I say. “Good. Now you have to do everything I say.” She tells me with her most winning smile. “ I see.” I say. “Now I have to go dress like a Queen”, and off she went, backwards, to her room, sporting a perfect “Princess (Queen, of course!) Wave”.

When she returns, she is wearing an aqua tank top with Scooby DooTM on the front, white tights (we had 105* that day), a wrap around skirt from a past “Alladine” ballet recital that fit her 5 months ago, black wedge heel play shoes covered with rhinestones, and to top it off, her rhinestone tiara with pink marabou feathers was perched on her head of wild curls. “My, aren’t you a beautiful queen?” She was quit a bright sight.

That evening during dinner, my daughter who was still fully adorned, informed my husband that she had taken over my crown and that she was reigning for the day. After dinner, Daddy set off to the grocery store for some dessert, and her majesty decided she wanted to go too. Now Daddy is a bit more conservative than I am, and I suspiciously asked him “YOU are taking her like that?” “Yes”. Well, there is no arguing with The Queen.

When they return, my husband is still laughing. The Queen was the attraction of the night at the store. I had immediate regrets that I did not secretly follow them with the video camera. He described her pushing her “Shopper in Training” cart through the aisles, head held high (she CAN walk better than Momma in heels), giving anyone who acknowledged her the “Queen Wave”, and delegating the items to be bought into her cart. The Kingdom was in awe, someone even took a picture.

My little Queen. Even though Daddy is usually more reluctant to take her out when she dresses herself, we are letting her play out her individuality in public. Garish colors and flambouyant costumes are her trademark (I always say when people comment on her outfit and attitude: “She is either going to be a performer, or a stripper!” To those who have looked at me aghast, I WAS ONLY JOKING!), just as her funky clogs (she never wears anything else) are known around the city.

LONG REIGN THE QUEEN!

Heike Boehnke-Sharp is the momma to two angels, two huge dogs, and lives with her best friend/ husband in CA. A German native, see she's her society a little different, and comments on that in her articles. She writes a monthly online coloum, "Attachment Parenting with a Twist", is currently working on a novel, and is a work at home momma who spends her "free" time working on her mission, to raise her daughter respectfully and help other parents be able to do so to. For more info, see www.FantasticFests.com