Dad’s trip means Girls’ Time

My husband took a two week trip, so I was a single mom for a bit. Pleasantly enough, Olivia stepped up to be more mature and helpful.

In addition to making me my morning coffee because she got up first, she did other little gestures. One morning, she made me toast, and even asked if I wanted butter on it, before spreading some on and serving it to me. She then made me a second cup of coffee at my request.

One lunch, at my prompt, she pulled the pasta out of the fridge, microwaved it, plated it for us, and served it. I’ll tell her things, and she’ll actually remember them, or try to.

It was just a shade easier to manage her than if we were just alone for, say, a Saturday day. It felt like living with an aspiring housemate.

Us girls.

Who is this child and what has she done with the real Olivia?

My theory is that she feels like an equal partner when it’s just her and another adult. She’s already an only child, so being around grown ups comes quite naturally to her. Combined with all the individual attention, she feels good about herself and wants to do more.

So I asked her, “Do you like when Daddy’s out of town because it’s just us?”

“Yeah,” she said.

“Do you feel like a big girl because it’s just you and another adult?” I continued.

“Yeah,” she confirmed.

“Are you like this when it’s just you and Daddy?” I asked.

“You never take trips,” she laughed, “and when you do, you always take me.”

What a funny little statement. I guess so, huh? I never travel anymore.

She has no idea that the pre-motherhood Diane traveled all the time. Boy, can motherhood upend your life like nobody’s business. I am so harried and boring now.

Oh well. She’s nine. Maybe in another five years she can evolve from making my coffee to booking our travel itinerary, and we can take our Girls’ Time on the road.

Author(s) on this Post

Diane Ako

Peace of mind By Diane Ako I like to reflect on life. Sometimes it’s philosophically. Sometimes it’s humorously. For all its beauty, life is far too difficult a journey to take alone. You need the support and connection with others to help carry you along the way. Writing brings me that connection– within and without. It clarifies my thoughts and feelings. It helps me reach out to others for advice, wisdom, or feedback. Your thoughts become your actions. Your actions become you. A wise yogi- Patanjali- said, “Speak what is true. Speak what is pleasant.” Let’s speak of things pleasant to one another and seek some peace of mind along the way. ABOUT Diane Ako joined Hawaii: In Real Life in October 2016. She likes being part of a community of local bloggers – people who like writing and sharing, like she does. Ako is an anchor/ reporter at Island News (KITV4 – ABC) in Honolulu. She previously anchored and reported at KHON2 (FOX) and KHNL (NBC), and at stations in California, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. She freelance writes for NMG Network's magazines. In between news jobs, in 2017, she launched and ran her own p.r. company, Diane Ako PR. From 2010-2014, she headed the public relations department at Halekulani Corporation, which oversees luxury resort Halekulani and boutique hotel Waikiki Parc. She’s been blogging since 2009 – before Hawaii: IRL, she wrote for The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the state’s largest daily newspaper, where her stories garnered a dozen journalism awards and an Emmy nomination. Ako has a BA in Communications from Menlo College and an MA in Political Science from University of Hawaii at Manoa. She volunteers as a board member of the Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation, a Shinto shrine maiden at Daijingyu Temple, a citizen-scientist studying shrimp, and a yoga teacher at a senior center.

Diane Ako has 274 posts and counting. See all posts by Diane Ako

6 thoughts on “Dad’s trip means Girls’ Time

  • April 17, 2017 at 12:03 pm
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    Hello Diane, your little girl is not so little anymore, she’s growing up to be a fine young lady. You doing an awesome job mom!

    Reply
  • April 18, 2017 at 8:13 am
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    It means you’re doing an awesome job as a mom, Diane! 🙂 Olivia reminds me of myself a bit since I’ve been trying to keep my Grandma company since my Grandpa died back in August 2015.

    On a side note, I hope Olivia doesn’t know about your… dress code at times (forgive me if this offending in any way), otherwise, she is being a great help herself. 🙂

    Reply
    • April 27, 2017 at 8:03 am
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      Mathew – thanks and you’re funny! Dress code, ha ha. Do you know in Denmark, where her dad’s from, topless is normal? The girls on swim team went topless in the warmer months. People sit in the park topless on a sunny day. We are a fairly liberal family given her dad’s bearing, and then my liberal nature. And, you sound like a wonderful grandson, being so thoughtful and considerate toward your grandmother. Good for you!

      M- thank you 🙂

      Reply
      • June 11, 2017 at 12:08 am
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        Ah — never knew that. Seems like a nice lifestyle in Denmark. 😉

        I’ve occasionally cooked dinner (granted spaghetti only) for my Grandma on quite a few occasions. I’d like to say I’m very reliable, too since I do take my other Grandpa (my Dad’s father) to church almost every Saturday (and occasionally to Safeway in Kailua at times). Keeps me useful since he hasn’t driven in over 4 years because of a car accident back in 2013 (and who unfortunately lost his wife this past Easter to pneumonia).

        Reply
          • June 11, 2017 at 11:11 pm
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            Thanks! Glad you think so 🙂

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