Becoming a parent fills you with excitement as you look forward to all the milestones your child will reach. You can hardly wait for the moment they roll over for the first time, taste rice cereal, or sleep through the night. You rejoice in their first tooth, their first steps, and that unforgettable moment when they flash you a toothless smile and say, “Mama.”
These precious firsts are celebrated and shared widely on social media, filling baby books with cherished dates. Each milestone is a triumph, and every step toward growing up is thrilling and invigorating. Parents often compare notes on how quickly their little ones hit these significant firsts.
But what about the lasts? Do you hold those memories just as close? Can you recall the fleeting moments when your child completed a final activity, moving toward a newfound independence? My mother often reminded me that while everyone revels in firsts, the lasts tend to fade from memory.
As my children transition into their teenage years, I find myself reflecting on the countless things they stopped doing long ago. There are so many bittersweet moments that quietly slipped away without me even noticing.
When was the last night I crept into my son’s room to find him peacefully asleep, a pacifier hanging from his lips? When did my daughter last pull out her footie pajamas, putting them on backwards for bedtime? I can hardly recall the last time I heard the sound of tiny feet padding across the wooden floor.
What about the last time I had baby wash, diapers, and butt paste on my grocery list? When was the last bubble bath, where I gently tousled their soft curls, splashing around in a sea of bubbles? I can no longer remember the moment I last held my infant, feeling his warm body snuggled against my neck as he finally surrendered to sleep after an hour of fighting it.
When did I wake up to discover I no longer had a baby crawling around? When did two little humans start walking and talking? When was the final bottle ever? When did I pack away the bottles, handing them off to another mom? Where did the sippy cups disappear to?
When was the last time my son had a toddler tantrum? Those epic meltdowns are etched in my mind, yet I can’t pinpoint the day he found his words and expressed what he wanted instead.
When was the last time my daughter fell asleep on the couch after a day filled with wonder, and I gently carried her to bed, marveling at how different her room felt when she was asleep? When did I stop seeing my little one in his car seat through the rearview mirror? On what day did he start sitting next to me in the front seat, arguing over the radio or directions?
And perhaps the most heartbreaking of all—when did they stop calling me “Mommy”? When did I simply become “Mom”? While I know they will always need me, I miss hearing those sweet names they called me first.
So many lasts are behind me, yet I know I have countless firsts to look forward to—first dates, driver’s permits, and the bittersweet first night away at college. I will cherish those moments, but I worry they too will fly by in the blink of an eye. We’ll take photos of my son next to his first car and my daughter with her prom date. I’ll write heartfelt posts about my baby moving out for college. But if the past few years have taught me anything, it’s the importance of being present for those lasts, too.
Because there’s nothing wrong with savoring the best for last.
For more insights on parenting and home insemination, check out our related post here.
Summary
Parenting is often filled with joyful firsts that are celebrated and shared, but it’s equally important to cherish the lasts that come with growing independence. As children grow, many beloved moments fade from memory, making it essential to stay present and appreciate both the firsts and the lasts. This journey includes looking forward to future milestones while reflecting on the bittersweet final moments of childhood.