Andrea's first week as a legal minor

Andrea is a bit young to understand what exactly happened at the court hearing. I explained to her that it means that there will be adults that will always be around to take care of her and make sure she is safe and well taken care of. We all want her to be a happy little girl. She now has the same last name as mine. She smiled at that.

Andrea's teacher, Ms Dotson, told me that Andrea should start in the first grade in the fall with the 6 year olds. She said that 3rd grade was too difficult for Andrea. Emotionally and socially she is not ready for the 3rd grade. She still has babyish reactions to things that frustrate her.

This weekend Andrea is at my friend Linda's home. Linda has a 6 month old baby boy. She asked if Andrea could be her baby girl for the weekend so her baby boy could have some company. Andrea argued a bit but finally accepted that she will be a 2 year old baby girl in diapers for the weekend.

Andrea mostly has adapted well as a baby girl this weekend. She drank milk from a bottle, ate jars of baby food, had her diaper changed, and was talking and playing like a little baby. But she had one major mistake that was very disturbing. Friday evening Linda breast fed her baby boy and put him to sleep in his crib. Then she put Andrea on her lap to breast feed our baby girl.

As a little baby Andrea was expected to just drink from Linda's breast because that's all babies are interested in. But our little baby girl soon reached out and squeezed Linda's breast. Linda was very upset! She turned Andrea over and spanked her good and hard until she was crying at the top of her lungs! Andrea is being punished by being a baby for 2 more full weeks. She is being taught to breast feed properly as a baby.

If she does not behave properly over the next 2 weeks she will spend the summer as a little baby girl. Then she will start nursery school as a 3 year old in the fall. She will know some words but also speak in baby language. It would take her 5 years to get back to being an 8 year old girl. That is if she is emotionally and socially ready each year for advancement.

Will keep you all informed.
Joanne

Andrea is now legally a child

The court hearing on Monday was actually much more straight forward and less stressful that I thought. My lawyer presented the petition for Andrea to be declared a minor. The two psychiatrists who interviewed her then presented their findings. Basically that Andrea is mentally and emotionally a child who cannot look after herself. Then the judge asked Andrea a few questions. Pretty basic stuff about what her interests are (her dolls, school, her books and games); how she feels about her Mommy and her friends; and then she explained, in simple terms, what was happening. Andrea stated that she understood that I would be responsible for her and make sure she is cared for in every way. The the judge signed the papers and it was all over.

Andrea is now a minor. A little girl with the rights of a child. She has no adult responsibilities or rights. I am responsible for her well being. Also her last name was changed legally to mine since she is now legally my daughter.

Last week I took Andrea to a doctor recently to discuss her having the operation to remove those boy parts. Andrea will be a much happier little girl when that is done. Hope to have that done sometime before the summer is over.

This weekend Andrea will be visiting my friend Linda. Linda has a 6 month old baby boy. She asked if Andrea could be her baby girl for the weekend so her baby could have some company. I am sure Andrea will love being Linda's little baby girl.

The photo is a recent picture of Andrea when we visited the American Girl store.

Joanne.

Andrea is a sweet little girl

I just spent the last 2 weeks on a buying trip for my Bridal Shoppe on the west coast (mostly California). Usually I take one the the salesgirls with me. But this time I decided to take Andrea on the trip. It's not particularly easy to take a child but I felt it would be a good experience and helpful to her development as a little girl. I took her with me to most of my appointments during the day. But in the evenings I arranged for teenage girls to baby sit her. An 8 year old girl can't be left alone while I am out at business meetings or socializing with friends and colleagues.

Andrea did very extremely well. Little girls can keep themselves busy for awhile but after a few hours they need attention. Andrea had her dolls, books, games (ipod touch) and little projects to keep her busy. She would usually sit in an office while I worked. There were also times when other little girls were available to play with her. There were times she would whine for attention because she was either hungry, bored or just wanted her Mommy. I did not punish her for that because that is pretty usual behavior for a child. Actually I was very happy to see that she was acting her age.

The women I work with were a bit surprised to meet Andrea for the first time. But she makes a fine first impression. She has been taught to curtsey and politely say "How do you do" to any adult she is introduced to. It does not take long for the adults to see that is is a darling sweet girl.

There was only once when Andrea started to whine excessively. She was very tired at the end of a long day. I told her to behave for only 15 minutes more. But she persisted in crying. I put a pacifier in her mouth and warned her about acting like a baby. That scared her. She remembered the time she was a baby in diapers for a weekend.

The school year has ended for Andrea. Unfortunately she did not do well in 3rd grade. Ms Dotson has recommended that Andrea begin with first grade in the fall. She says that Andrea needs help with her reading and writing. Going back to basics might be for the best. Plus Ms Dotson says Andrea has babyish tendencies (as I noted above). Being with 6 year old girls would be more age appropriate for her.

Lastly I should mention that each day we had a "Sissy Andrew" moment. Andrea is well aware of the humiliation she must endure with each person she is introduced to. Everyone realizes that she has been reduced to a child, a pretty little girl in gorgeous dresses who loves playing with her dolls. Andrea knows how much this pleases her Mommy and Auntie Casey.
She always asks to be shown off, as a pretty little girl, to everyone.

Joanne.