“Mommy, I had a nightmare. Can you sleep with me?”
It’s 5:30 AM, and I’m still foggy with sleep as I slip into your bed, wrapping my arms around your tiny frame. You’re still clad in your Iron Man outfit from last night, a superhero costume that has become your nightly attire since Halloween ended just a week ago.
In your bright red suit, you embody the fierce guardian of all things good, a formidable foe to any villain that may threaten your dreams. But when those nightmares creep in, you call for Mommy, your steadfast ally. And I come, ready to banish any fears lurking in the shadows. In just a few days, you’ll be turning 5, and I feel the bittersweetness of all the times I’ve swooped in for your rescue slowly fading away.
Yes, five is barreling toward us like an unstoppable train, and I know that once it arrives, we’ll have to board it and bid farewell to your temporary “four” station. For you, the arrival of this new age can’t come soon enough. “I want to be six,” you say, visibly annoyed.
I get it. As the youngest in your class and family, you often feel like you’re lagging behind. “Don’t rush it,” I remind you. “Five is going to be fantastic. You’ll see.”
Even now, on the brink of this new chapter, you’re showing signs of growing up. “B is for baby,” you proudly declare after returning from kindergarten. “C is for cat!” Each day brings new wonders. Your backpack is bursting with worksheets filled with numbers you’ve counted, colorful dinosaurs you’ve painted, and letters you’ve begun to master. You’re becoming more inquisitive, eager to absorb the world around you. As I read to you at bedtime, your eyes are glued to the pages, and I can see you realize that soon you’ll be able to read them on your own. Suddenly, the world is filled with endless possibilities.
You hop on your bike, calling out for Daddy to steady the seat as you pedal. He jogs behind you, and you squeal with delight as you fly down the hill. When you reach the bottom, you announce, “I’m ready to go home,” as if the adventure is over. “Are you sure you don’t want to ride again?” Daddy asks. “Yes, I do!” you shout joyfully, and off you go once more. Five is not a straight path; it’s a series of starts and stops, fear mingling with courage, adventure intertwined with retreat, all in the same ride.
Five means cooking eggs, getting yolk everywhere but just enough in the pan to celebrate as a win. It’s squabbling with your sister because she’s older and can do things you can’t, only to cuddle up beside her as she reads you stories — even the dinosaur tales she lost interest in long ago.
Five is finally being able to complete jigsaw puzzles and recognizing that some pieces went missing during your earlier, less careful days. It’s choosing doughnuts for your birthday dinner and wanting to take down the Batman poster still up from last year’s celebration, but leaving it because you know Daddy likes it.
Five is requesting “16 hugs and 16 kisses” before bedtime — and playfully wiping the kisses off your cheek. It’s going to bed dressed as a superhero and waking up calling out for Mommy.
So, as I hold you close, listening to your gentle breathing as you drift off, I find myself welcoming five with open arms. I might even find joy in it. After all, how can an age that starts with doughnuts for dinner be anything but wonderful?
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Summary
The journey of turning five is filled with adventure, discovery, and the bittersweet emotions of growing up. As children navigate their world, they learn to embrace both independence and the comfort of their parents. This stage is marked by exploration, from excited bike rides to cooking mishaps, all while holding onto the tender moments of childhood.