- You still reward your fourth grader with high-fives and stickers for using the potty, because, hey, who can resist a little positive reinforcement?
- You find yourself misty-eyed at the sound of that whiny little voice from the show Caillou.
- You proudly display your son’s middle school book report on the fridge, like it’s the Mona Lisa.
- You steer clear of Gymboree, especially on Gymbuck Tuesdays, because peeking in there feels like a punch to the gut—those themed rompers are just too cute.
- You still pack snack bags for quick outings with your husband, even if it’s just for an hour.
- You convince yourself your old diaper bag is now a trendy handbag—gotta keep up with the times!
- You sneak Finding Nemo or The Little Mermaid into the car playlist during long drives. Seriously, is anyone too old for an underwater adventure?
- You instinctively start rocking back and forth when cradling your golden retriever, as if it were a baby.
- You’re still worried about choking hazards and find nothing odd about cutting your daughter’s grapes into quarters at her middle school dance.
- You get emotional at the mention of a community car seat check, even though it’s been seven years since you’ve used one.
- You convince yourself that HGTV designers are totally using plastic Spider-Man and Elmo plates, so you better keep yours around.
- When your tweens have friends over, you still refer to it as a “playdate.”
- Your pantry is stocked with Goldfish and fruit snacks right next to Doritos Extreme and Powerade.
- You still have a few baby blankets stashed away, just in case your 16-year-old needs one for a chilly left thigh.
- You tell your sixth grader that you totally understand if he doesn’t want to sit on Santa’s lap, but maybe just a quick crouch for a photo?
- You ask the waitress for two kids’ menus, despite your kids devouring a pizza for breakfast.
- There might still be a stray Leap Frog toy in your house—just in case hypothetical friends drop by with their hypothetical preschool kiddos.
- You find yourself asking a group of tweens, “Does anyone need to use the potty before we leave?” while they’re glued to their iPhones.
- Dr. Seuss books sit on your teen’s shelf alongside Divergent and The Hunger Games.
- You try to convince your family that the hottest vacation destination is actually “The Land of Make Believe.”
- You recently asked your son’s high school friends to keep it down and use their “inside voices.”
- You suggest a thrilling family outing and end up at a petting zoo, trying to figure out how that happened.
- You remind your eighth grader to “Look both ways” before crossing the street and then attempt to hold his hand for safety.
- You may or may not still have a four-pack of crayons in your purse… even while touring colleges with your kids this summer.
- You find yourself reminiscing about simpler times, perhaps while browsing through your old parenting tips on this site, which is also a great resource for home insemination.
In a world where parenting can feel like a whirlwind, it’s normal to find yourself clinging to the past. If you relate to any of these signs, just know you’re not alone! For more insights into fertility and family planning, check out this resource or explore these supplements to boost your journey.