On my daughter’s fourteenth birthday, I shared a post on social media featuring two photos: one of her now and another from when she was a little toddler. I captioned it, “Time flies!” Later that day, I noticed she too had shared a birthday pic, tagging it with “finally 14.” The contrast between my nostalgia and her excitement was striking. For me, the years seemed to have zipped by, but for her, this journey to fourteen felt like an eternity.
These days, it’s a challenge to get my teenage daughter out of bed before noon on non-school days. She enjoys lingering over breakfast, scrolling through her phone, or catching up on YouTube. It feels like just yesterday when she would eagerly rush to the door, shoes in hand, asking, “Out?” ready for any adventure that came her way.
There’s a saying that goes, “The days are long, but the years are short.” I vividly remember a beautiful autumn day in Brooklyn when my daughter was just fourteen months old. We spent hours collecting acorns in Prospect Park. She was so delighted to fill her pockets, and even when they overflowed, she would come up with new ways to play, counting and recounting them endlessly. Those long days contrasted sharply with how quickly the years passed.
As I tuck my son in at night, I relish the moment, knowing that soon enough, my eleven-year-old may no longer want those bedtime rituals. His growth amazes me; he now stretches across his twin bed, a reminder of how he once weighed just a pound and seven ounces when he was born prematurely. “You’re bigger than the bathtub!” I tease, recalling a time when he was thrilled to see how much he had grown. For the moment, he beams and seems to remain my little boy, but the teenage years are looming on the horizon.
Sure enough, my son recently celebrated his thirteenth birthday. “Is Max turning thirteen?!” my daughter exclaimed in disbelief. “Yes,” I replied, “Soon, I’ll have no little ones left…only teens.” Their responses—her “Sorry!” and his “Good luck!”—made me chuckle. Raising teenagers is challenging, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. After all, as parents, our role is to guide our children from infancy, through childhood, into their teenage years, and eventually towards independence. I might miss the younger days, but I’m also excited to embrace the teenagers they are becoming.
My mother often remarked on how time seems to speed up as we age. “Seems like just yesterday…” she’d start, and while I didn’t grasp it back then, I now understand all too well. We reside in a college town, and each fall, the influx of students transforms our neighborhood. By May, they ebb away, leaving behind a quieter atmosphere. The interval between these seasons feels shorter each year, confirming my mother’s wisdom.
With my daughter finishing tenth grade and my son seventh, I can’t help but feel that their remaining school years will whiz by in the blink of an eye. I remind myself to savor each moment, even during the challenging times when we butt heads over makeup, clothes, or screen time. The teenage years, though difficult, are fleeting, so I choose to cherish them.
So, here’s to savoring every moment and not wishing away the teenage years. Embrace the chaos, the joy, and the growth, because before you know it, they will be off to college, pursuing their own adventures.
For more insights on parenting and home insemination, check out our other blog posts, including this one. If you’re looking for information on artificial insemination, this resource is also a great reference. And for those seeking guidance on fertility insurance, this link offers excellent information.
Summary
Embracing the teenage years can be challenging, yet these moments are fleeting. Reflecting on past experiences with my children highlights the bittersweet nature of their growth. By recognizing the rapid passage of time, I choose to savor each moment and navigate the complexities of parenthood with joy and patience.