By: Sarah Jennings
Updated: Dec. 21, 2023
Originally Published: Oct. 28, 2023
I always thought I had completely indulged my first child, Oliver. He enjoyed five blissful years as an only child before his little sister, Mia, arrived. The world revolved around him, and I let him have his way with everything—from toys to snacks. I was his personal chef, catering to his every whim. But as it turns out, Mia has gotten away with a lot more than Oliver ever did.
While I was hyper-focused on being the “ideal” parent with my firstborn, I’ve loosened the reins considerably with Mia. She’s almost 4 now, and I find myself spoiling her rotten. Honestly, I’m just not ready to let her grow up. I even joked with her the other day about canceling her upcoming birthday so she could stay 3 forever. Here are some of the things we let our youngest kids do that would have made our firstborns cringe:
1. Your youngest child’s first snack is dirt from the carpet.
True story. The other day, I caught Mia happily munching on some dirt and a few stray leaves she found on the floor. Gross, but hey, kids will be kids, right?
2. You keep the crib and high chair far too long because the thought of tossing them out makes you teary-eyed.
I just finally parted ways with the crib that occupied our bedroom for a decade. Why? Because babies are adorable, and I want them to stay that way forever! The high chair? Still attached to the table, much to my husband’s chagrin.
3. Lollipops (and other sugary bribes) become your parenting tool of choice.
I’ve got a lollipop stashed in my purse at all times. Need to get in the car? There’s a lollipop waiting. Can’t sit still during a meeting? Lollipop it is! Sometimes bribery is just part of parenting.
4. Apps are your best friend for teaching colors, shapes, and letters.
With Oliver, we spent hours reading books and doing crafts. But Mia? She learned her alphabet from an app on my phone—all by herself—before she even turned one. That’s parenting progress!
5. You’re in no rush to wean or toss the pacifiers and bottles aside.
Oliver was weaned by age 2, but I’m in no hurry to say goodbye to the “baby” habits Mia has. It’s bittersweet knowing these moments are fleeting, and I want to savor them as long as possible.
6. Goldfish crackers are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
With picky eaters, sometimes you’ve just got to roll with it. If Mia wants to munch on Goldfish all day, who am I to stop her? I know this phase will eventually pass.
7. You let baby talk last longer than it should.
For the longest time, we tried to keep Mia saying “lemonade” as “lema-lade.” I wanted that adorable baby talk to last forever, even if it meant a few chuckles at her expense.
8. You’re not as quick to rush to the doctor for every little bump or fever.
When Mia claimed her heart hurt the other day, I was ready to panic—until I saw her running around the living room in her underwear. With my first, I would have been dialing the pediatrician’s office immediately!
9. You allow your child to create chaos without batting an eye.
I’ve let Mia pour soap all over the sink and herself just for the sake of a little peace and quiet. Who cares if it’s a mess? It’s soap, after all!
10. You shed tears when you realize your child’s next birthday is fast approaching.
I may have just gone a little overboard buying Mia a massive toy set for her birthday. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to pause time and keep their little one at this age forever?
In conclusion, parenting the youngest child often means bending the rules and enjoying the chaos. While every moment is fleeting, the joy of watching them grow up comes with its own bittersweet pangs. For more insights into parenting and home insemination, check out IVF Babble and explore helpful resources like this blog or Make a Mom for your family planning needs.