Back in the days when I was herding a toddler and a preschooler while toting a baby, I was frequently admonished that I should “enjoy it now because you’ll miss these days.” If I was feeling honest and if the person was someone I trusted, I would answer “I’m looking forward to missing these days.” It is now years later. I no longer have a baby or a toddler. In the fall I won’t even have a preschooler because Patch will have made the transition to kindergartener. Know what? I look back on those baby and toddler days, gleefully knowing that they are behind me. Do I miss them at all? There are things about them that I miss, but on the whole I’m glad to be here and not there. I am in a good place right now. I have three grade school kids and one blossoming teen. I think that these are the days I will miss when they are gone. Fortunately I’ve got a good 8-13 years left with kids at home. By the end of that, perhaps I will be all too happy to move into the next stage of my life. I’ve heard that being a grandma is a good gig when it comes to you. I’m not in a hurry to get there though. Here is really good.
6 thoughts on “Life stages”
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I miss them a great deal, all of them. This is because I’m the one working outside of the house so I’m missing all the little things and generally only see them late afternoon when they’re cranky instead of when they’re doing the cool things like reading out loud to each other, playing happily together, or showing off the new thing they learned today.
Oh that’s an excellent perspective. Perhaps the reason I’m content to leave the baby/toddler years behind is because I was so fully immersed in them at the time. I’m worried I’ll miss these years in part because I’m so busy right now that I am missing things. This needs more thought.
I think some parents are “baby people” they love caring for babies and toddlers, and so will naturally miss that stage when their children grow out of it. Others prefer to interact with older children and really enjoy it when their kids reach elementary school age. In spite of (or perhaps because of) teaching middle school for seven years, I think 13-14 year olds are wonderful. I wonder if this means I will continue to enjoy my kids during a phase many parents despise?
I know that most parents dread the teen years. I don’t. Kiki is a teen now and I enjoy having her around. I don’t expect that to change when the others reach their teens. We’ll have our challenges, but challenges don’t scare me. If you like teens now, you’ll probably like your own kids as teens. (except when they drive you crazy.)
For all the loveliness of our little one, I think I see just what you mean, and I was happy to read this! It’s got to be exciting to see them develop at every age and stage, right? I heard that, in general, it just keeps getting better. I’m so glad your in a good place!
~Wendy
For my first two children, I loved the every minute of the baby stages. My third child was extremely active and I just longed for a chance to sit still rather than chase her everywhere. Now that she is older, I love her restless energy.
Yes it just keeps getting better.