Lynda Loveland: Desertion

Ahh, gotta love middle school … or not! That’s when it gets real and your child begins the ascension to adulthood. It happens much sooner now.

My daughter is showing interest in trying out for basketball next year. I’m thrilled because I played hoops and it’s the first time I’ve been able to pry her out of the soccer-loving hands of my husband. She wanted to go to her school’s game, where the girls play first and then the boys.

I thought, cool! We can sit in the stands together and I can show her the ins and outs of the game. I was really looking forward to it and she seemed to be as well.

We pulled up to the school and as we walked to the gym, she talked excitedly about the kids she knew who were playing. We stopped to pay at the gym door and the next thing I knew, she bolted for the stands! Not even a “bye Mom!"

She made a beeline for her friends in the corner. I stood there, dumbfounded. I don’t know why I thought she would sit with me and not her friends. It didn’t even occur to me. Apparently it didn’t even occur to her to sit with me! I have to admit, I was a bit, no, a lot, bummed. She came by a couple of times during the game, for snack money.

I realized this is the way it’s probably going to be from now on. That’s all part of growing up. There was one positive outcome from the game though. She decided to try out for the team!