My daughter Kitty (age 7) generally has two growth spurts each year: one in the month or so before her birthday and the other in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Both have, up until this year, been difficult because of the big feelings Kitty had waiting for The Big Day (presents!) and the stress of having to have long visits with Jack and the change in temperatures outside usually leading to more indoor time. She'd be hyper, aggressive, loud, bossy, demanding, and whiny, and by the time Christmas (or her birthday) rolled around, I would wonder why we'd bought her any presents at all.
But this year Kitty has been remarkably calmer than in years past. She has been more thoughtful, more content, quieter and less aggressive.
At seven and a half years of age, Kitty is more able to examine her feelings than she was even a year ago, and it makes a huge difference. Not only that, but we have had some really interesting conversations. In some ways I've come to know her better in the last month or so than in the seven years preceding.
I have had the past seven days to miss Kitty while she visits Jack. She returns today and we will have Christmas together. I expect that she will be hyped up, busy imitating Jack's superior attitude, and emotionally a mess. So I find this quiet interlude before Christmas somewhat bittersweet.
I am sending good wishes for the holidays to all of my readers. I hope that the season brings joy and renewal to each of you.
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