Something Borrowed Daughter discovers the wonders hiding in Mom’s Closet and Shoe Outlet

My daughter Hannah turned 11 earlier this month. She, of course, was thrilled that it was her birthday. After all, what kid doesn’t love gifts, cake and lots of attention?

I, on the other hand, found myself struggling with the fact that I was now the mother of a middle-schooler; a middle-schooler who was almost as tall as I was. And with this growth spurt has come a variety of new and exciting changes. And one of these changes is really starting catch my attention more than all the others. You see, over the past several months, a new store has apparently opened up in my house. This store, consisting of a small boutique in my bedroom, is lovingly known as “Mom’s Closet and Shoe Outlet.”

Somehow, as my oldest child grew into the preteen years, her foot grew into just the right size to make stealing my new flip-flops a real possibility. Furthermore, as her height advanced, so did her love of my tank tops and sweaters. Thus, on any given day, I am now likely to encounter a dilemma with which I’ve never before had to deal. My things are rapidly disappearing, and I’m finding them in my oldest daughter’s room!

Now, I honestly find it cute to see Hannah walking around in my various articles of clothing. She usually looks adorable in them, and I love being able to share my things with her. But the problem comes when I’m trying to get dressed and the items I want to wear are missing in action! There was one day when my outfit required a white tank under my sweater. My white tank, of course, was nowhere to be found. Days later, it turned up in a pile of dirty laundry. Hannah, of course, denied knowing anything about the entire situation!

And then, there was the time when I dropped Hannah off at school, only to discover she was wearing the pair of shoes that I had been planning on wearing later that same day. “Did you ask me if you could borrow those?” I demanded, mad at her.

“Well, can I wear them?” she asked in that innocent tone of voice that almost always wins me over and dissipates my anger.

“Well, since you can’t go to school barefoot,” I said, defeated, “then, fine! But, next time, please ask first!”

I must admit that I honestly love being able to share clothes with Hannah for a variety of reasons. First of all, there are times when I can actually use things out of her closet! Now, that is truly a lot of fun. But, in addition, I love the fact that she is old enough now to share so much with me: her dreams, her hopes and even my wardrobe. Being able to share clothes, I’m hoping, will actually bring us even closer than we already are.

I just need to know that Hannah will try to remember to ask me before she takes my things. They are, after all MY THINGS. But, the truth is, I know that, because she is only 11, this really isn’t going to happen anytime soon.

So, for now, I just need to resign myself to the fact that, as the owner of “Mom’s Closet and Shoe Outlet” I must be prepared for a little bit of shoplifting every once in a while. Fortunately, this shoplifting comes only out of good intentions –– the good intentions of a beautiful little girl who’s growing up way too fast!

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by Sharon Dunski Vermont