1.) A moment you realized your child was growing up.
I’ve written semi extensively about Laina’s purple house. She talks about it much less these days, but she used to yammer on and on about all the different pets she keeps there. It’s a brilliant little spot in her imagination where she gets to do whatever she wants. She has bunk beds, her own telephone, movies galore, hundreds of dogs and one cat.
I knew someday the purple house would go away. She would get too big to believe in such things.
I’ve shot Maile warning glances when I’ve heard her correct Laina, “you don’t really have a purple house…”
“Sure she does” I’d say, “we can build whatever we want in our imaginations and I like Laina’s Purple House and I want to visit her there and eat cake and pet her cat.”
And that was all it took to light up Laina’s eyes and distract her from her big sister’s words, “Oh I have lots of cake at my purple house mom!” she’d say.
I was holding on to my sweet girls imaginary house just as much as she was.
I don’t know why I’m so intent on bottling up the magic that is childhood naivete and carefree living. It’s not like we all have it so bad here in the land of reality.
Nevertheless, at lunch recently Laina said she wished we had a horse in our back yard that she could ride whenever they wanted. I happily chimed in that she could have a horse at her purple house and Laina quietly put down her fork, glanced at Maile and then said, “but Mom…I don’t really have a purple house…it’s not real.”
I don’t know why I was so disappointed. It irritated the hell out of Maile that Laina talked so incessantly about a house that clearly did not exist. I knew it was just a matter of time before she cornered Laina for some serious sense talking. It’s what big sister’s do. To me, losing the purple house marks a turning point…a step away from the land of make believe.
And OH how I prefer the land of make believe!
The Prompts:
1.) A moment you realized your child was growing up.
2.) Amy Winehouse died. Another name amidst a growing list of talented celebrities lost to addiction. Your reaction.
3.) What do you miss most about the school year?
4.) Share a favorite craft or game that will keep your kids busy for at least 20 minutes.
5.) Write a post where the first and last sentence contain any form of the word “boss.”
jackie says
My son has a great imagination. I love the things he comes up with and the fact that he believes in so many things that don’t really exist. I don’t even want to think about the day he stop believing in that stuff.
Georgia Girls says
Those years of imagination and belief are a magical time. Siblings have a way of telling it like it is :(
Erin says
I had a pink house when I was little. And I would much rather visit her purple house then go to work! I like the land of make believe better too!
Simone @Greatfun4kids says
I’m with you. Long may imagination-land reign. My one gripe about motherhood is how blimmin fast they grow up.
OK that’s not my only gripe, but it sounded good.
{Again, we are sympatico. My baby girl is growing up fast. She turned seven today; where did those years go?}
Kimberly says
The land of make believe is so much better than responsibilities and bills!
Ink Paper Pen says
I just wrote a massive comment – not sure where it went! But I was saying that I am very glad to have found your blog and your writing workshop linky. I do a writing prompt linky on my blog too, but I’m not as almost famous as you are! I’ll look forward to writing to some prompts created by someone else. I found you via one the girls who links to Write On Wednesday as she also writes with your prompts. Fabulous blog
Brittany says
I relish in the memories I have of my childhood memories. I, too, had a house like Laina, only mine wasn’t purple. My mom to this day takes me back to it and the animals that lived with me, like Cano the monkey. Us denying it may be a sign of us growing up, but it doesn’t mean we’ve let go. I’m sure as she grows older, she’ll think back to her purple house and it will still be “real” to her. The land of make believe is such a fun place to spend some time at, no matter what age. :)
Just Jennifer says
Oh I love this little story! I mean, I don’t love that your little girl is getting older and not believing in her purple house so much. I mean that it’s so true how much we moms dread the day they start wising up to reality. Just stay a kid!
Paula Kiger says
Love this piece and completely empathize with your perspective.
Melissa B. says
Oh, the proverbial purple house! She doesn’t know it now, but your gal will always have that house to hold on to.
Dianna says
I can see where you’d be sad at her admission that there is no purple house. Just another sign that your little girl is growing up. And it’s hard to let go of their childhood.
When I was a little girl, I had an imaginary friend, Jewelsie. I don’t remember when I realized that she wasn’t real.
Sarah @ Catching the Magic says
Oh how sad :( I hope she always remembers ‘the purple house’ – at least through you words and documenting of it – sounds like a very special place and somewhere she may revisit with her own children, hopefully, one day x
Jeanne says
Heartbreaking- but luckily, her mom documented the purple house in great detail :-) That’s the pleasant surprise I’ve found with blogging- that I have been taking notes about my daughter’s life and someday she’ll get to go back through and read what I was thinking. It’s such a special gift that no baby book can compare to!
Kisatrtle says
When my oldest reached my height at 12 years old I knew things would never be the same. I could feel the loss of your purple house
Alexandra says
Its a real hard wake up call when you finally realize your kids are not baby’s anymore. Makes me want to have another one.. maybe because I only have one… :)
Arnebya says
The purple house may be fading, but I guarantee she remembers your attempts at trying to keep it real for her.
Ms Sharealot says
Fostering her imagination has given her a place where she can turn when this “real” world is too mean, even if she knows it isn’t “real”.
Bankerchick says
She will have that great imagination for the rest of her life, it will just change and grow with her.
June Freaking Cleaver says
Don’t fret, she’s still using her imagination. And when she’s a teenager, it’ll come out in her comments about how much better her life is going to be when she grows up, and is independent.
And then she’ll imagine her own life, and her own family and children.
And when she reaches my age, she’ll imagine a house without them.
We never stop yearning for that place that we see as “better”.
JDaniel4's Mom says
I hope the purple houses and giant beavers at our house stay around for a long time.
Jennifer@ The Mommy Mambo says
Recently my 12 yr old nephew told one of my 6 yr twins that Santa’s reindeer weren’t real. Or at least that is all Twin B heard? I’m sure he told him that Santa wasn’t real either, but his innocent mind refused that bit of nasty info entirely!! Thank goodness.
He was releived when I told him that his cousin just wouldn’t be getting anything for CHristmas this year for telling such tales. But the fact that he sort of questioned what he was told, and his creeping skepticism of what’s left of the magic in this world is definitely sad. : (
LONG LIVE THE PURPLE HOUSE!
Carrie says
I was actually just thinking about this: when does that imagination flitter away? When do we become ensconced in reality? Wouldn’t it be nice to always keep at least a finger hold on that world?
Anne Province says
What’s wrong with a purple house full of cats, and dogs, and cake? I live in a pink and purple house and it’s full of margaritas served by a smokin’ hot cabana boy who is also an expert masseuse. And if Maile says otherwise … I’m jsut going to put my fingers in my ears and yell… la la la la la la!
Peg says
Poor Laina. That breaks my heart just a little. Being able to have a safe haven to go to een in your imagination is a wonderful thing to have. It is a little sad when you realize they are no longer little.
Jen says
The land of make believe is so much fun. Why do children want to run away from it and adults try so desperately to get back in?
Adrienne says
Just got a little teary eyed (and I’m at the office, so I better watch myself!) But I agree…sigh…I cherished (and longed for them to hang on to) every moment of that childhood innocence. With a daughter getting married in a few short months, this kind of tender reminder of her little girl days turns me to mush! Beautifully told!
christina says
*sniffle*
i can’t tell you how kick ass it is that you participated with the Purple House to begin with. :)
Runnermom-jen says
This is so bittersweet. Why can’t they just stay little forever?
bcIMthemommy says
I wanna live in Laina’s purple house! (And I don’t mind sleeping on the couch)
Anastasia says
Mine has a cloud house, and I do get frustrated when my oldest corrects her. I want her to have a cloud house forever.
Kristin @ What She Said says
Oh, this made me ache. I love the idea of Laina’s purple house. My daughter is a year and a half old and I can only hope that she’ll also have a purple house one day where she can do and a keep whatever she wants.
morgan says
My middle girl had an imaginary friend that helped her through some rough patches of growing up … I miss that little buddy!
Thanks for hosting again!
OneMommy says
Sometimes it is so hard to see my little ones growing up, but at the same time it makes me proud to see who they are becoming…
May says
It is so bittersweet when they outgrow these magical stages. Really enjoyed this post and felt your grief.
tori nelson says
Kids are just cool. I’m convinced my toddler has more creativity and spunk in his finger than I’ve ever had ever!
Pattyann says
Love the creativity of your little girl! Sometimes, I think we want them to grow up way too fast. We get so caught up in the “next stage” of their lives, that we forget to enjoy the stage they are in right now. Thank you so much for your reminder to cherish them in the childish things. Loved this.
Kimmy says
Awww….I can understand! I see pictures of my baby getting older (cause naturally I can’t tell with her right in front of me…lol) and it puts a pit in my stomach. She’s my only one and it’s almost over. She’s nine but I think how quickly those nine years went and another nine would make her 18 :o( I’m sad!!
Cookie's Mom says
I struggle with this a bit. The land of make-believe is such a magical place. Make-believe and pretend play help bolster creativity, help us to dream big, and provide an escape from the ‘real’ world. At the same time, learning to separate pretend from ‘real’ is an important milestone. I get so confused at times – like at Christmas, Easter and when a tooth falls out. Do I tell my child that Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are ‘real’ in the name of make-believe only to suffer his wrath later on when he realizes I’ve lied to him? Wouldn’t it be nice if they never had to learn the ‘truth’? The make-believe world is so much more satisfying. Anything is possible there.
Book4MyDaughter says
I spend a lot of time writing about my daughter (11) growing up, that I wasn’t drawn to this as a writing prompt. The funny thing is, until I read your post, I hadn’t thought about my son (6), and how is imaginary life will someday—probably soon—come to an end.
You have inspired me to really think about the moments that I have glimpsed my son growing up, and will possibly write a new entry.
Thanks!
MJ from iNeedaPlaydate says
I think this my favorite post of yours… I just noticed my son’s frog under the kitchen table and realized that it has probably been there for a few days. It seems that it was just yesterday that he carried it everywhere and could not sleep with out it to being banished to under the kitchen table. sigh.
Kir says
Ahhhh…you know Jacob is just starting to “imagine” and play act and I love it. I love seeing their little minds conjure up things that will make them happy, better, someone else. I am going to love the years of IMAGINATION coming. I loved this post.
Marta says
My son, 4, always talks about his little ghost friend. His little ghost friend sounds pretty awesome. He seems to see all the best movies, go on the best vacations and do the best things. Luckily he usually takes Ben with him!
Feyella @ Parenting ... smh says
Imaginations rock! I love the purple house it makes me smile. I remember when my niece was about 5 she was pretending she was hunting bears and when I decided to play along saying “I’m afraid of bears” she quickly looked at me and said “Titi, the bears aren’t real, I’m using my imagination.” I was completely floored.
Jenn @ Coolest Family on the Block says
There is a purple house in the next town over. The whole thing is purple with purple shutters and everything!!! I’ve always meant to take a picture of it before someone else moves in there and paints it, ’cause it’s kinda like a landmark for me (I’ve been passing by that house since my childhood.). If I finally get a picture of it I’ll definitely send it to you! It’s actually kinda cute despite the fact that it’s, well, purple.
dysfunctional mom says
I know reality is not so bad, like 3rd world country bad, but compared to our wildest imagination, it does kinda suck. So I get it. I really want a purple house.
liz says
I feel this way about some of their silly kiddie phrases. Like, Kate *still* calls adults, “humans”, as if she as a “kid” is something other than a human.
And I love every time Maddie says “crocagator”. Makes me smile. :)
Sharon says
I remember when my son was in 1st grade. He sat a group of boys down and told them about his very first field trip to the Philippine Islands in Kindergarten. He said, “we went on the school bus. When we got there, we had monkey brains for lunch. They were gross. Then we went through the village and met people. Because it was so far away, we had to get on the bus and come right back before dark.” End. of. story.
I have reminded him of his “bus trip” to those Islands. I remember when I recited that story back to him when he started middle school. He laughed and said, “I can’t believe they didn’t make fun of me! Everyone knows you have to fly to get to the Philippine Islands.”
Right then, I knew when he was laughing at himself, he was growing up. Broke my heart but made me smile all at the same time.
Life with Kaishon says
Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.
Goodbye to the purple house. For now.
It will always be in her memory though.
I hope she DOES get a purple house one day.
That would be all sorts of fantastic.
Jenny says
My son used to talk to his imaginary friends Jack and Jay. Jack was a Caterpillar and Jay was a lady bug. But when he started getting older the less I would hear him in his room talking to his best imaginary friends. Sad when our babies have to grow up.
jane@flightplatformliving says
thats a post that fills a mumy’s eyes with tears! beautifulxxx
Sandra says
So what you’re saying is there is no purple house…? That sucks! I think that would have been the best house ever!
PS: I love your blog, the look of it, the layout, it truly is a work of art…now if you could get a purple house somewhere in here…you know, for Laina…
Book4MyDaughter says
Thank you for quoting me, and for listing my blog under “Workshop Favorites From Last Week” in this week’s newsletter. You most definitely made my day, and quite possibly my week! Thank you!
Tracy P. says
Oh no! Laina’s purple house is one of my all time favorites. Love that girl. She still has lots of beautiful surprises in store for you.