Being a mum to a six-year-old girl is like living in a world of endless imagination, dramatic storytelling, and a constant wardrobe of princess dresses and sparkly tops (even when we’re just going to the postbox). It’s a season filled with equal parts sass and sweetness—one minute, you’re her absolute hero, and the next, she’s rolling her eyes because, well, just because.
The Little Miss Independent Phase
At six, my daughter has very strong opinions about her outfits (goodbye, my dream of coordinated outfits) and insists on doing everything by herself—whether it’s brushing her hair (which turns into an unbrushed bird’s nest) or packing her own school bag (which always includes a random stuffed animal but somehow forgets her favourite book for book cafe). She’s testing the waters of independence, I get it. And I’ve read countless books that say ‘don’t do anything, that your child can do for themself’ and while it’s amazing to watch her grow, I also spend a lot of time biting my tongue so I don’t say, “Let me just do it for you.”
Drama Queen in the Making
Every day is a performance, whether it’s a dramatic retelling of what happened at school (“Mummy, it was the WORST DAY EVER… because they didn’t have any cookies left at lunch”. To be fair to her, they are very good cookies!) or an impromptu dance show in the living room or a sudden desire that she is going to be a dog-trainer when she grows up much to the disdain of our ageing Collie. She feels things deeply—joy, frustration, excitement, and, yes, the injustice of being told she can’t wear shark flip flops in winter.
The Best Conversations
Six is such a magical age for conversations. She asks the big questions—“Mummy, where do stars go when the sun comes out?”—and follows up with the most unexpected thoughts, like “How do they get the glitter into sparkling water?” There’s also a LOT of “why” questions, and honestly, Google, I love you.
Cuddles and Confidence
Even though she’s growing up fast, she still reaches for my hand when we walk together (three squeezes for ‘I love you’) and sneaks into our bed when she sees even the slightest of weakness/excuses/’funny noises’ and so on. But she’s also becoming so wonderfully herself—brave, bold, and full of personality. She’s learning to stand up for herself, find her voice, and navigate friendships, and I couldn’t be prouder.
The Sweet Spot
This age is a mix of fairy tales and real-world lessons, of wanting to be a vet for dinosaurs (that one of her school friends is going to bring back to life) and a dancer with Taylor Swift the next. It’s chaotic and challenging, but it’s also magical. She still believes in fairies, still wants goodnight kisses, and still sees the world with pure wonder.
It’s a wild and beautiful ride, and I’m holding on tight—sparkly tiaras and all.
