You definitely don’t want your kids to remain little forever, and you’re not being honest with yourself if you think otherwise. When I overhear parents telling their little ones, “Don’t grow up! Stay small forever!” it really gets under my skin. While it may sound endearing, it also suggests that you might love them less as they mature.
Let’s face it: parenting little ones is incredibly challenging. There was a point in my life that was so tough, I honestly don’t recall much of it. When I share that with others, it often raises eyebrows. But here’s the silver lining: life gets much better as they grow.
Even if it feels like an eternity right now, they will eventually grow up. And when they do, life becomes easier, more enjoyable, and way more fun. We could even cut ourselves some slack today and stop feeling guilty for not cherishing every moment of their early years. Sure, we appreciate some aspects of it, but it’s okay if we don’t relish every single second (let’s be honest, that rarely happens).
Life with babies and toddlers can feel like a never-ending cycle of diapers, sleepless nights, potty training, and an abundance of messes. Yes, one day we may miss those adorable chubby hands and sweet slobbery kisses, but we certainly won’t miss the chaos that comes with it.
And just in case the guilt wasn’t enough, we have well-meaning sayings like this one: “It will be gone before you know it. The fingerprints on the wall appear higher and higher. Then suddenly they disappear.” – Dorothy Evslin. Sure, those fingerprints will vanish, but that just means our kids have learned to be responsible and wash their hands.
Now that I have a little one alongside elementary and high-school-aged kids, I can confidently say that the older they get, the easier it becomes. Older kids can help out with chores (yes, please!), they crack witty jokes, they can be reasoned with, and they even babysit the younger siblings (thank you!).
I genuinely enjoy my older kids now. I loved them as babies, but seeing the unique individuals they’ve become is incredibly rewarding. Watching them assist with the younger ones is nothing short of magical.
Life is still hectic, with days that feel like my left temple is throbbing and my right eye is twitching. Bigger kids mean bigger challenges, but for the first time since 1999, I’m getting enough sleep to manage it all. I no longer feel like I’m just treading water; I’m actually making progress. It feels like a miracle.
When I look back at photos filled with cuteness, I do feel nostalgic. But then I remember all the messy moments that didn’t make it into a snapshot, and I’m thankful that those days are winding down.
We’ll all be grateful when our children can take care of themselves—wiping their own bottoms, reading to themselves, washing their clothes, and eventually driving themselves to school. They’ll become responsible, funny adults. Isn’t that what we aim for? To raise capable individuals who will eventually start families of their own? It’s going to happen, so we might as well embrace it.
And if everything goes well, we’ll be blessed with adorable grandbabies to cuddle and spoil, only to hand them back to their parents when bedtime rolls around. It’s a win-win!
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