By: Emily Johnson
There was a time when I was knee-deep in diapers, and then, suddenly, she was potty trained. I used to rock her to sleep while feeding her a bottle, but now she confidently fills her own glass of water to place beside her bed each night. My lullabies, which once soothed her to sleep, have transformed into her giggles as she corrects my “wrong words” during our silly songs. “Mom! You’re singing it all wrong!” she laughs.
I remember eagerly squeezing her chubby little arms into adorable outfits every morning. Now, she insists on choosing her own clothes and dresses herself without any help. Where I once packed her lunch and styled her hair—braids, ponytails, and all—we’d chat about her day ahead at school. Now, she styles her own hair with no assistance from me.
Before she would leave for school, I would tie her shoes as she’d give me that “sad lip” look, not wanting to part for the day. Now, I’m greeted with a cheerful “Byeee Mom! I love youuu!” as she dashes out the door, leaving me in the quiet house that was just filled with her energy moments before. I often rush to the door, calling her back for a kiss.
In those brief moments when I get down to hug her, she squeezes my cheeks and says, “I love your squishy face!”—a phrase I’ve used since she was born. Hearing her chatter fade away as she walks down the driveway reminds me of how quickly time flies. Some days, I stand alone in the silence and ponder how it really did happen so fast, just as everyone warned me it would.
As she grows, many of my parenting tasks that once felt like chores have been taken away from me. She’s gaining her independence, a bittersweet reminder that she’s not my little baby anymore. Just today, after she completed her hair on her own for the fourth time without asking for help, my heart ached a little. She’s turning 8 in just two weeks, and I can hardly wrap my head around it.
Last night, I tiptoed in to check on her as she slept peacefully. I noticed her unique scent—the one you can identify out of a crowd—and saw her puppy tucked securely under her arm. For a fleeting moment, I caught a glimpse of my baby girl in that almost-eight-year-old face, with her little features still so small. I traced her face in my mind, praying to remember that moment forever.
It feels like I woke up one day to find her transformed into a “big kid.” If you’re a parent, you understand that moment when you realize your child has become more self-sufficient. It’s a milestone we all reach, the realization that we’ve raised children capable of handling tasks on their own. I never anticipated how bittersweet that day would be.
As I sat beside her sleeping form, I snapped a picture in the soft glow of her nightlight, letting a few tears fall. She will always be my baby, and while it fills me with joy to witness her growth, a part of me aches as time moves on and she becomes more independent.
If you’re navigating similar feelings, you may find comfort in this blog post which dives into the emotional aspects of parenting. If you’re considering starting a family, you might want to check out this at-home insemination kit from a reputable online retailer. And for helpful information about pregnancy and home insemination, visit the CDC.
In summary, watching your child grow from babyhood to independence is an extraordinary yet emotional journey. Each milestone brings joy and a touch of sadness as you realize they no longer need you in the same way.
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