Our three-year-old daughter has begun dating.
Before you question both my parenting and my sanity, I should tell you these dates are with her dad. Still, they are a pretty big deal for both of them, though they can be more than a little stressful for the other woman – mom.
We started date nights after reading a book on the important role fathers play in the lives of their daughters. Mothers spend tons of times with their daughters, finding it easy to connect with their little girls.
Dads sometimes have a harder time making that connection. Girls are different creatures, full of pink dreams and princess wishes.
We planned the first daddy/daughter date on a day where I was hosting a baby shower. It was the perfect time for them to both be out of the house and spend some time together.
“Where are you going?” I asked Greg as they headed out the door.
“Oh, I don’t know. Here and there I guess,” he replied.
Somehow, this answer wasn’t reassuring. I know it certainly won’t pass muster when some 17-year-old boy comes to our door to take Sutton on a date.
They headed out the door, both happy to be with each other. Several hours later, they made it back, both still smiling.
That’s when the reporting – on both sides- started.
It turns out the two had went to the mall. (Odd choice, I know, but what I found out later made it all more sensible.)
“The mall?” I asked. “Why did you go there?”
Greg explained.
“It’s a source for one-stop Sutton entertainment,” he said.
It seems they spent a large portion of time riding up and down the escalators. Then, armed with a fistful of quarters, Greg helped Sutton onto the kiddie rides. After that was done, the pair went on to Chick-Fil-A, the ultimate in dining when you’re 3.
“Sounds like you all had a good time,” I said.
Sutton agreed.
She told me about the escalator and the small school bus children can ride.
“I did it three times,” Sutton said. “And I ate all my chicken nuggets.”
Sounded like a successful date.
I’m glad Sutton and Greg had this time together. I think they both can learn some lessons. Greg can learn what it’s like to navigate a toddler through the world. Sutton can learn how she should expect to be treated by future men in her life.
For those boy’s sakes, I hope they have a whole bunch of quarters in their pockets.