Lunch Time and Other Oddities

It has recently come to my attention that some of the conversations I've been having with little miss Haana, now 13, would sound very strange to most people. 

Last week I was upset at her for waking up too early on school days. I thought that was completely rational till our friends called me out on it - I am upset at her for waking up on time (or before time) and get her things ready by herself and on time?! (While other parents can barely get the kids out of bed in time for the school bus). In my defense,  I worry she's not getting enough rest, and she should get more sleep if she can!

Yesterday, on Sunday evening, I asked little miss Haana, who's been keeping her school lunches by herself since the school year began, what she wants to take for lunch on Monday. Given that she seemed uninspired, I offered to cook rice that she can then take with something else for school lunch. To this she said - 'Mumma, I know you're trying to help n all. But i feel if I let you help, I'll just get dependent on you. And I don't want to be dependent on you. So i'll figure it out myself.'

To this, I responded in a way that seemed only natural to me, but I'm told is not the expected natural response moms are supposed to have at all. I said,  'I get that! But Gugu, I don't have any of the same problems of being dependent. I am happy to be dependent on you. So when you're fixing your lunch, can you please fix mine as well?'. The way she looked back at me told me, that was not my good mom moment!! I should add the context that when i said she keeps her own lunch, I meant these are delectable, state of the art, fancy recipes cooked to perfection, garnished with just the right herbs, dipped in delicious custom sauces, accompanied with veggie sides and with fruit n vanilla yogurt etc.. these are fancy things that she spins up. I'm just putting in words what anyone would be thinking around lunch time..

For the record, she did actually fix up lunch for me to take to work, and it was delicious and beautiful, and I am finishing it up as we speak! :)