You definitely don’t want your kids to stay tiny forever, and let’s be honest, if you think you do, you might be fooling yourself. When I hear other parents say, “Don’t grow up! Stay little forever!” it drives me bonkers. It sounds sweet, but deep down, it feels like you’re telling your kids that you won’t love them as much when they grow up.
Having little ones can be a real challenge—like, a major challenge. There was a period of my life that was so overwhelming, I hardly remember it. It might sound shocking, but trust me, it’s true. But don’t fret; there’s a silver lining.
It gets way better as they grow!
Though it may not seem like it now, your kids will eventually grow up. And when they do, life becomes so much more manageable, relaxed, and genuinely enjoyable. We could even lighten our load right now if we allow ourselves a bit of grace. Let’s ditch the guilt for not savoring every single moment of their childhood. Sure, some of it is sweet, but let’s be real—most of the time, we’re just trying to survive.
Life with babies and toddlers can feel like an endless cycle of diapers, teething, potty training, fatigue, spit-up, soggy cereal, tantrums, blowouts, whining, and the constant cleaning of sticky messes. Yes, one day we might miss those chubby hands and slobbery kisses, but the rest? Not so much.
And just when we think we have enough on our plates, we’re hit with guilt-inducing phrases like, “It goes by so fast. Those little fingerprints will eventually disappear.” Yeah, well, when they do disappear, it’ll actually be fantastic. Those fingerprints vanish not because our kids are gone forever, but because they grow into responsible individuals who wash their hands.
Now, I find myself in a fascinating situation with a toddler alongside elementary and high schoolers, and let me tell you: the older they get, the easier life becomes. The big kids can do chores (what a revelation!), they crack jokes that actually make sense, they can be reasoned with (sometimes), and they even babysit the little one—thank goodness!
I truly enjoy my older children. I adored them as babies, but now I love the unique individuals they are becoming, with their talents, humor, perspectives, and wisdom. Watching them help out with the younger kids? It’s pure magic.
Life isn’t without its challenges, though. There are still days when I’m pulled in multiple directions, and bigger kids come with bigger issues. But for the first time since 1999, I’m getting enough sleep to handle it all. I feel like I’m actually getting somewhere instead of just treading water, which is nothing short of miraculous.
I look back at photos that capture just the fun times, and I feel a twinge of nostalgia. But then I remember the chaos and stress that didn’t make it into the pictures, and I’m grateful that phase is winding down.
We’ll all breathe a sigh of relief when our kids can wipe their own backsides, read on their own, do their own laundry, and drive themselves to school. They’ll grow into productive, responsible, and delightful humans. Isn’t that what we ultimately want? To raise adults who move out and start their own families? It’s going to happen, so we might as well embrace the journey.
And if all goes as planned, we’ll be blessed with adorable grandbabies to snuggle and then happily return to their parents come bedtime.
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Summary
As kids grow, parenting becomes easier and more rewarding. While we cherish the memories of their early years, the challenges that come with little ones can be overwhelming. It’s perfectly okay to look forward to the time when they can handle more responsibilities and become independent adults. Embracing this transition allows us to enjoy the unique individuals our children are becoming, all while preparing for the delightful chaos of future grandbabies.