My role as entertainment concierge for Sofia. I don’t know when it happened but I realized that 50% of my interaction with Sofia, if not more, is around supporting her friendship (ordering birthday gifts for her group of friends, arranging playdates, birthday parties, group outing). I love it to be honest. I always thought I’d be the strict parent, not the fun parent. But slowly I am evolving to all around parents, which actually makes them to trust my judgement even more, academically and other aspects.
My role as home chef. I meal prepared 5 types of meal options (pasta, lasagna, chicken, beef búlgori, milanesa) before the two weeks trip. Yet, girls complained that they are eating the same thing over and over again and last night Sofia had McDonald for a change. She said that she likes me at home who organizes different meals every day.
My role as cheer leader. I love attending their swimming competitions. I am their biggest supporter, no matter what place what time, just like every other parent who attend the competition. We love seeing our children pushing themselves, proving to themselves that they can.
My role as academic advisor. The keyword is advisor, meaning I give advice, and it’s up to Sofia to choose to adopt or not. I thought this would be harder but I am shifting my mentality to take this new role. At the end of the day, I can’t be sure to say I know what’s best for her future as the future is evolving. I am only just one source of opinion, although an important one, among many other she has.
My role as trip planner. I love organizing trips for our family, with one of them, with all of them. The satisfaction of delivering a meaningful trip is the greatest when I do all the planning.
My role as companion. I feel like my most important role for their current stage is companionship. They like to be near me doing everything, homework, TV, reading, playing, learning about new things and skills. I love it. I just want to be there when they need me, or share with me the moment, as ordinary as the first bite of ice cream.
Our New Journey 
This is a great approach to parenting. I would say embrace this time when they want to be close to you. I was always available to my kids, and we had so much fun. I disciplined when necessary – I’m not a pushover, but they understood the rules and the boundaries. Most of the time, we really enjoyed doing things and going on adventurers or they played in the next room and I got such a kick out of hearing them giggle together and work out their conflicts.
LikeLike
Great analysis, Coco! You have so many roles and each one clearly fills a need that your daughters have at this particular stage in life. I especially love how you embrace companionship, sharing the ordinary moments with them.
I sometimes wonder whether a parent’s personality might fit certain stages of parenting better than others. Some mothers thrive with babies, others with teens, some with adult kids. You’re doing a great job at the current stage, that’s for sure!
LikeLike
Aww, I love this. I know my role has evolved a lot and now I’m in cheerleader/ support when needed stage. They still want to spend time with me which is nice.
LikeLike
I love that you are so connected to your girls and are wearing so many different hats!
LikeLike
Aw, I love your last point so much. They want to be around you! That is very sweet, and says a lot about the way you’re parenting them. Yes, our roles evolve as they grow up, which is good to remember if anyone feels like they’re in a tough stage. It will change.
LikeLike
These all sounds like really enjoyable roles! My roles are so different right now since my kids are so young and I’m in a very physical stage of parenting. But one of my favorite roles is “planner of fun.” The boys now ask “what are we doing today?” because they know we’ll be out of the house for something on a weekend. I love seeking out fun, new experiences for them!
LikeLike