Happy 7th Birthday L: An open letter
Ma Grande Puce*,
How time flies! How is it possible that it’s already 7 years since I became a mum?!? Little did I know how much you would change my life, turn it around and upside down. I was pretty prepared for dealing with a baby, and we were lucky in that you were a pretty chilled and easy baby, but what I wasn’t prepared for was dealing with a toddler, a little girl, and now a girl who’s getting bigger and bigger.
7 years old. That is really a big girl now. You are totally your own person, you know your own mind, and you are strong-willed and strong-minded, which drives me demented and delights me, in equal measures.
You are such an incredible girl: you take after your parents in that you’re a total bookworm, I love watching you devour books, and I’m so proud that you can read pretty much anything in English now, and are beginning to learn to read in French too; you are like a little monkey, climbing anything and everything that gets in your path, I think it’s fantastic that you are as happy curled up indoors with a good book, as climbing “your” tree on the Common at the end of our road; just over a year ago you faced your biggest challenge yet – after nearly 6 years of being an only child you became a big sister – I never imagined you would take to the role so well, you are a wonderful big sister, and C adores you.
You are also a beautiful girl, I almost daren’t tell you this now, as so many people say it to you and I don’t want you to get a big head, and I want you to learn that beauty comes within, from our actions, as much as from our outward appearance. But in case you ever have any doubts, you are beautiful, and have gorgeous hair, even though, like me at your age (and for most of my life!), you would rather have straight hair “like everyone else”.
I know you sometimes find my new job as a childminder hard, but it’s amazing how selfless you’ve been in sharing – your home, your mum, and your toys and games with other children. Again you make me so proud when I see you helping with the younger children, sharing your belongings with them and explaining things to them.
You make us laugh, you make us proud, you make us happy. I want to kiss and cuddle you all the time, my first baby, my big baby, and thank you so much for letting me still do that. I sometimes worry for you, as 7 years old seems so much older these days than when I was 7. I want to be able to protect you from the nasty stuff out there, whilst letting you have your independence as you get older, spread your wings and fly, making your own mistakes, and learning from them, as you go along. I try to, and I hope I get, the balance right.
As you get older I know I am more of a shouty mummy, and I promise you I will try to be this kind of mummy as little as possible, I know neither of us likes that mummy.
Whatever you do with your life, whoever you choose to share it with, wherever you decide to go, I will love you, be proud of you, and want to be a part of your life. So feel free to go out there, be who you want, and live your dreams, as it’s your life.
I love you and C more than you can ever imagine, and I always will. Have the best birthday ever my big girl!
Lots and lots of love,
Mummy xxxxxxx

8th December 2006 vs 8th December 2013
* “Ma Puce” literally means “My Flea” in French, however it’s not an insult, but a term of endearment, like my darling. We always used to call L “ma puce” until we had C, so now L is “ma grande puce” and C is “ma petite puce” 🙂
This past year (in fact the past 7 years) with L has been full of magic moments, so I’m linking this post up to The Oliver’s Madhouse magic moments, click below to read other magic moments:
Such a beautiful post which I can totally relate to, being also the proud ‘owner’ of a 7 year old girl. Love how you make the point about her being beautiful outside and in. Beauty on the inside is so important, but so, sadly, is believing you are beautiful on the outside. Happy birthday to your lovely girl.
Sarah MumofThree World recently posted…Hotel Chocolat Christmas Goody Bag
Thank you for such a lovely comment – it’s fab being a mum of a 7 year old 🙂
It’s true, she’s very beautiful! Will you read this letter to her? Or later, in a few years?
Happy birthday to her anyway!!!
Thank you. I read it to her last night (bit too busy at the weekend), I had to explain some stuff to her but she got most of it. Though really it’s for her to re-read when she’s older, as I’m sure I won’t remember this stuff to tell her then.
Being a mum really is the best thing in the world, nothing could ever top that. #MM
Alexandra Mercer recently posted…Calming a Baby or Toddler at Bedtime
It is pretty damn good 🙂
awwww what a really beautiful post to your daughter honey and thanks for sharing and linking this with #MagicMoments
Jaime Oliver recently posted…Magic Moments 9/12/13
Thanks lovely 🙂
This is such a lovely letter. Happy birthday to her, and yes, she is beautiful, inside and out x
The Reading Residence recently posted…#ElfTakeover Week 2
Thank you 🙂
She sounds so lovely and this is a really lovely letter. Gosh, 7 years. Bet it feels like its gone in the blink of an eye. A big Happy Birthday to her and I hope it’s a really fabulous day!
Notmyyearoff recently posted…Little Meetings
Thank you. Yes, 7 years has literally gone by in a heartbeat, which is scary as it feels like she’ll be leaving home in the next blink of an eye. Never mind, time to cherish each moment and not worry too much about what’s to come.