2:17 p.m. - 2008-03-26
but back to Screaming Harlot, my stripper daughter
The concept of Screaming Harlot stripping off all her clothes to go swing naked on a pole is not imagined. It did, in fact, happen. Background:
NMH and I have a four post canopy bed. Screaming Harlot likes to climb the corner post using both hands and both feet. Sometimes when she gets to the top, she'll release an arm and wave to herself in the mirror over my dresser. Other times, she'll hold on with both arms and kick a leg out. She watches herself the whole time in the mirror. She uses the mirror more than I do, and I'm a confirmed narcissist.
One Sunday, upon NMH & children's return from church, my daughter decided to take off her pretty dress with the pink tulle skirt and the black velvet top. This was quickly followed by her pretty black shoes and her pretty pink tights and her "My Little Pony" underwear. She began the disrobing process in the kitchen and finished it in the living room. She proceeded to dance about the living room and kitchen--naked. My daughter doesn't dance like your typical little kid--my daughter likes to swivel her hips and strike vogue poses and swing her head back and forth. With skill. That's when I walked in the front door.
Suddenly, Screaming Harlot took off down the hall towards the bedrooms at a dead run. This is not unusual. I went on about my business, putting things away and heading to my bedroom to change out of my church clothes.
That's where I found my daughter. Naked, swinging one-handed from the top of my bedpost.
"Hi, Mom! I'm climbing on your bed! See! I'm doing tricks!"
"Yes, I see that. Shouldn't you be wearing daytime clothes?"
"But Mom," she said with a hint of exasperation, "I have to climb on your bed right now."
"Yes, but you need to put some clothes on first."
"No, I don't!" she replied, with pride. "See?" as she shimmied up and down my bedpost like a little gibbon.
At which point I changed my clothes and went on about my business. Sometimes a mother just needs to walk away....
