“Mama, I want to cuddle,” my little one says as he scrambles into my lap. His little head is warm from all the running around, and if I just close my eyes and inhale deeply, I can almost catch a whiff of the baby he used to be. Such moments tug at my heart, reminding me that one day he’ll crawl off my lap for the very last time.
At nearly three years old, he’s no longer a baby, yet he’s not quite a big kid either. As he transitions away from his toddler years, I find myself grappling with the reality of his growth. While I’m thrilled to witness his growing independence, I’m not quite ready to let go of the sweet innocence that these toddler years bring.
You might be wondering, who would want to cling to the toddler phase? Well, it appears that I do.
Sure, there are public meltdowns and irrational outbursts that can make it tempting to wish these years away, thinking that more peaceful times lie ahead. But those calm periods are fleeting, and soon enough, we find ourselves navigating yet another challenging stage of childhood. Hoping to rush through one hurdle only leads to the next, creating a cycle of parenting challenges. In this journey, we trade the joy of warm cuddles for the chaos of tantrums and impulsive decisions. Oddly enough, I’ll miss it all.
As my son is likely my final baby, watching him grow feels like watching sand slip through an hourglass—each moment fleeting, and I can’t slow it down. With every milestone, my heart swells with pride, yet it also aches as I release another cherished memory. I worry for his innocence; it shines so brightly now. He remains blissfully unaware of the world’s harsh realities, and I fear that light may dim as he faces judgment and adversity.
He wears his superhero mask proudly to the grocery store, fully embracing who he is—unapologetically himself. I often wish I could embody that boldness and hope the world embraced it too.
Every day, I see him growing—learning new words, displaying a more composed demeanor—steps that bring him closer to being a big kid and further from his toddler self. Is there ever a point when a mother is truly prepared to say goodbye to this phase of young motherhood?
I’ll gladly part with diapers, sippy cups, and the scattered Goldfish crumbs, along with the exhausting tantrums, but I intend to hold on to the rest. I hope he will too.
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In summary, as my son grows and leaves his toddler years behind, I find it hard to say goodbye to the innocent joy they bring. Each milestone is a bittersweet reminder of the fleeting nature of childhood, and while I embrace his growth, I also cherish the moments we have left together.