My kids and I were in line to pay for milk at the grocery store the other day when I heard myself say it.
Charlie (5) was mesmerized by the gravitational force known as check-out-aisle candy as Molly (7) cooed at the baby in the cart in front of us. I looked at the baby and then looked at Molly and said, “You used to be that little.”
I bristled at that a bit as I processed what had just come out of my mouth. People with big kids always said that to ME and MY babies. And now here I am saying it.
In that moment, I was forced to acknowledge their growth and the change in their category as kids and my own as a mom.
In the same way that I still feel 22 on the inside, when I think of myself as a mom, I think of myself as a mom of little kids. But, at 5 and 7, my kids really aren’t that little anymore.
They are definitely still very young. And there is much to appreciate about this time.
They are fun and funny. Their independence enables us to do more things as a family, and our schedule is no longer impacted by naptimes. They also have enough energy to walk longer distances, which eliminates that last piece of baby gear we were hanging onto – the stroller.
Molly and I play cards all the time, which is great fun. And, most of the time, they are just sweet and full of wonder (no real attitudes to contend with for now). And even though I have a pang of sadness for babyhood gone, I have an appreciation for the childhood that is now.
Basically, everything changed, and even though I was there, somehow didn’t realize it. Has this happened to you?
Heather, this is the sweetest post ever. It made me cry! Hope you and your family are doing well.
Love your blog!
Shannon
Ohhh, thank you for saying that, Shannon. You totally just made my day. Everyone is doing well. Charlie, after taking another pair of scissors to his head is now sporting his first buzz cut. (I keep doing a double-take when I look at him!) And everyone else is great. Saw Brave today. Loved it. Great story.
Hope you and yours enjoy a fantastic 4th of July!
Hedda
Sweet to read this – and yes many of us can relate:) I try to remember to celebrate all of the big and little milestones my little ones have made. I’m not as good at embracing the changes I go through along with them. It’s good, as you noted, to also be able to address that.