Photo: Tara-Michelle Ziniuk
I?ve started putting notes in my daughter?s lunch once in a while. I don?t really have time, and I only started doing it because Anna?s friend Emma gets notes in her lunch. But I?m doing it. I imagine that in no time she?ll ask me to stop because it?s embarrassing, and then I?ll be nostalgic for this time.
At five years old, Anna doesn?t seem to understand the concept of being embarrassed by your parents. There?s an episode of Arthur where Binky gets ?caught? holding his mother?s hand, which is perceived as being too ?babyish? an act for his age. A picture book we occasionally read shows a kid embarrassed by her father?s behaviour during a visit to her school.
Both situations go over Anna?s head; if she understands, she doesn?t identify with them. But she probably will soon. So, on top of leaving lunchbox notes, I?ve been thinking about the other things I should try to do for her or with her before we reach that point. Here’s my list:
Wear matching outfits

Once in a while, I pick Anna up from school only to realize we?re unintentionally wearing almost the same thing (leopard-print shirts and skinny jeans often being the culprits). We also own the exact same hoodie. What can I say" The sweatshirts were on super sale in the boys? section of a big chain store; the extra-small size fit her and the extra-large fit me. Every time she wears hers, she asks if I?m going to wear mine. I always find an excuse not to, because I?m not really ...