We've heard a lot of stories about men who don't want to grow up and, like their storybook counterpart, prefer to throw imaginary food around with other "lost boys" and fight bad guys who may or may not actually exist.
Yes, Peter Pan Syndrome is all about male narcissism, and if you've ever had any experience with any of them you know they like their shadows sewn on by a motherly hand and also enjoy being followed around by tiny, mute fairies who are madly jealous yet seemingly innocent and pure.
Never, however, have I been privy to reading anything about what I'd like to call "Wendy Syndrome." I am referring, of course, to the actual human girl on the cusp of womanhood who, in the story of Peter Pan, cares for everyone in the world, including her brothers, her dog, herself, probably her own parents and, of course, for Peter. Wendy Syndrome would sum so many of us up perfectly, Wendy, with her amazing listening and story telling skills, her deft sewing needle, her patience, her motherly qualities. For that is who many of us ladies become after a time of feeling fascinated with the flights of fancy of our Peters, listening to them tell their tales of heroism and delight, becoming more and more enraptured by the second as their boyish charm allows them to exude not just energy, but enthusiasm, playfulness and such a spark of life!
We feel sad that they come with these obnoxious little fairies but figure we're bigger women than they are, much more human, and that eventually our Peters will leave them to the ether and live a life on Earth, with us, in houses.
The fact that we learn to fly with them, that we meet pirates and mermaids, that we end up in more danger and yet more excitement than we ever could have dreamed of never takes away from the fact that, of course, our Peters don't end up on Earth, in houses, with us at all -- but instead continually save Tiger Lilly after Tiger Lilly from a group of ne'er do wells and always fly away with Tinkerbell in the end.
In fact, our Peters even come back to bother our granddaughters after years of our pining for them and if that's a healthy relationship, you can call me Captain Hook.
If you are indeed suffering from Wendy Syndrome, have heart. These lovely, patient, motherly qualities will serve you well in your life; you are the soul of the mystery of the word "family" and the only thing you must do, though it may be so very difficult, is to resist Neverland and boys with wings, and save your needle, your thread, your love and your arms for the people who will stay with you right here on Earth.
In houses.
Aimee Boyle is a regular contributor to EmpowHER. She lives on Earth, in a house, with her beautiful human family.
Edited by Jody Smith