As a parent, I’ve reached that bittersweet phase where every nostalgic memory that shows up on my social media makes me emotional. I can’t help but share these moments, especially since my little ones are growing up so fast.
With my youngest heading off to kindergarten this fall, my heart feels heavy. He’s ready for this next step, but I’m not sure I am. Time has a way of slipping through our fingers. Looking back, I realize how eager I was for this period of independence and peaceful afternoons, where I could hear the ticking clock as I worked. I appreciate these quiet moments, but I finally understand the wisdom in the phrase, “let them be little.”
The time spent with young children is fleeting. While it feels slow and challenging in the moment, it ends all too quickly. Now, I find myself reflecting on why I didn’t cherish their littleness more when I had the chance.
I’m not being hard on myself. Instead, I’ve embraced this new chapter of parenting with greater patience. I say yes to that extra story at bedtime, and I take joy in preparing their lunches even though they could do it themselves.
I grasp what “let them be little” truly signifies. It’s about truly listening to their innocent words. Recently, my youngest bolted into the room with his messy hair and favorite blanket, proudly exclaiming, “Mommy! I slept weally good this night.” I want to hold onto those adorable mispronunciations forever.
It’s about slowing down and savoring the moment. There will be plenty of time for hurried schedules filled with soccer practices and rehearsals. I’ve learned to appreciate my 5-year-old’s need to organize his Pokémon cards before leaving for a friend’s house. It allows me to memorize the last remnants of his toddler years before he dashes off, preoccupied with play.
It’s about asking for hugs and kisses, knowing that one day, those sweet gestures may fade. It’s about building forts when I should be doing chores and baking cookies just to see the delight on their faces.
Allowing them to be little means saying yes more often. It means prioritizing their needs over my own agenda, even if it means watching another episode of their favorite cartoon or heading to the park for the umpteenth time.
It means cutting off crusts and helping with their shoes, even though they’re capable of doing these things themselves. When they ask for help brushing their teeth because they’re too tired after a busy day, I happily oblige, appreciating that they still need me.
It also means encouraging them to bring their beloved blanket or toy on trips, and letting them fill their pockets with treasures for a simple grocery run. I cherish those moments, knowing their childhood years are slipping away faster than I’d like.
I still cut up their food and prepare their plates, and surprisingly, I don’t mind doing it at all. It signifies that they are still little enough to need my care.
Letting them be little involves overlooking the clutter in their rooms because it represents laughter and memories being made. Someday, when their spaces are pristine, I’ll long for the chaotic joy that once filled our home.
It’s a reminder that I’m still needed and that snuggles are still welcomed.
I won’t tell new moms to let their kids be little because I remember how overwhelming those early years can be—the constant feeding, changing, and sleepless nights. Yet, I wish I had embraced their littleness sooner.
I find solace in the moments I did allow them to be little. This shift in perspective has helped me parent with greater softness, patience, and peace. Ultimately, letting them be little means I’ve grown as a mother. I’m no longer the exhausted, anxious parent rushing to get through each stage. I want to savor every bit of magic for as long as I can.
So now, I’m committed to letting them be little, treasuring every moment before it passes.
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Summary
Parenting brings moments of joy and nostalgia, especially as children grow and transition into new stages. Embracing the philosophy of “let them be little” allows parents to cherish fleeting childhood moments and prioritize their children’s needs, creating lasting memories. By slowing down and truly engaging with their little ones, parents can foster deeper connections and appreciate the magic of childhood while acknowledging the bittersweet nature of time.