Once upon a time, there was a beautiful, curly haired, wide eyed girl. She loved to watch commercials. Especially when girlie toys and objects were being advertised.

She would watch the television transfixed. Mouth open, eyes glazed over. Hypnotized by the flashing lights and images.

When the commercials were over and regular programming had resumed, she would come waddling, full diapered over to me, and ask if she could have whatever object or objects she had found wonderous that the people on television had showed her.

I had a standard response.

One that was acceptable to her and she would usually bounce away excited and content…

“When you are twelve. Mommy promises.”

It ALWAYS worked. She never bothered me or pestered me. When the same commercials would come back on, she would point and remind me what would happen when she turned 12.

I figured she would forget or lose interest eventually. After all, the kid was a toddler or preschooler then and what twelve year old wants Polly Pockets or Barbies these days. (In my day, twelve year olds still played with TOYS and didn’t sit on a phone, texting all day.)

Anyway…

I was reminded today, when I read Scary Mommy this morning.

She’s 12.
She’s been 12 for almost 6 months.
She’s still beautiful, curly-haired and wide-eyed.
BUT.
Any day, she is going to remember all those promises made.
I can almost bet she is going to want the monetary equivalent.
So…
Can anyone tell me how much Polly Pockets, light up Skechers, My Little Pony and Strawberry Shortcake toys are costing these days?

I may have to pay up my promises with more phone minutes, Sugar Lips tank tops and silly bandz.

Oh wait, silly me. I already have.

Phew…when she reminds me of what I owe her, I’ll remind her of what she already has.