Navigating the journey of parenthood can be quite the rollercoaster, especially when it feels like your kids are racing through their childhoods. Here are 25 telltale signs that you might not be handling this transition as gracefully as you’d like.
- You still cheer on your fourth grader with high fives and stickers for using the potty because, as they say, there’s no such thing as too much encouragement.
- You get emotional at the sound of Caillou’s whiny voice, even though you know better.
- You’ve proudly displayed your son’s middle school book report on the fridge for all to see.
- You avoid walking past Gymboree like it’s a minefield, especially on Gymbuck Tuesday, because those themed outfits tug at your heartstrings.
- You pack snack baggies for a quick outing with your husband, even if it’s just an hour.
- You believe your old diaper bag could be the next trendy purse on the block.
- You sneak in Disney classics like Finding Nemo during long car rides, because who says you’re too old for an underwater adventure?
- You find yourself instinctively rocking your golden retriever when you hold him, as if he were a baby.
- You still fret about choking hazards, cutting your daughter’s grapes into quarters at her middle school dance.
- You feel a wave of nostalgia and mist up at the thought of a community car seat check, even if it’s been years since you used one.
- You’ve convinced yourself that HGTV would love those plastic Spider-Man and Elmo dishes you’ve been hoarding.
- You still refer to your tween’s friends coming over as a “playdate,” much to their embarrassment.
- Your pantry is stocked with Goldfish and fruit snacks alongside Powerade and Doritos Extreme.
- You still have a few baby blankets tucked away in the linen closet, just in case your 16-year-old gets chilly.
- You tell your sixth grader it’s perfectly fine not to sit on Santa’s lap, but maybe just crouch for a picture?
- You ask for two kids’ menus at restaurants, even though your kids devoured an entire pizza for breakfast.
- You might still have a random Leap Frog toy lying around for those hypothetical playdates with preschoolers.
- You find yourself asking a group of tweens holding iPhones if anyone needs to use the potty before leaving.
- Dr. Seuss books still share shelf space with Divergent and The Hunger Games in your teen’s room.
- You try to persuade your family that the ultimate vacation spot is a magical place called “The Land of Make Believe.”
- You recently told your son’s high school friends to use their “inside voices” when they were being a bit too loud.
- You suggest a fun family outing and somehow end up at a petting zoo, wondering how that happened.
- You remind your eighth grader to “look both ways” before crossing the street, and even attempt to hold his hand as you go.
- You might have a four-pack of crayons lingering in your purse, even as you tour colleges with your kids this summer.
- You frequently find yourself reminiscing about the simpler days of parenthood and all the little quirks that come with it.
If you can relate to any of these signs, don’t worry; it’s completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed. It’s all part of the beautiful chaos of parenting! For more on the journey of parenthood, check out our other blog posts, which can help you navigate these changes.
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Summary
Recognizing the signs that you’re struggling with your kids growing up can be a helpful step in accepting and navigating the changes of parenthood. Embrace the nostalgia, and remember, you’re not alone in this wild journey.
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