For over a decade, my life was dominated by nursing, pregnancy, and the endless cycle of caring for little ones. I was either carrying a baby or soothing a toddler, all while managing diaper duties, bedtime tales, and the occasional monster scare. And then, in what felt like the blink of an eye, my kids grew up.
It’s strange; I can’t pinpoint the exact moment when I stopped nursing or that final time I changed a diaper. I don’t even recall celebrating my newfound freedom from purchasing diapers. What I do know is that now, every shoe in my house either fits me perfectly or is too large. My bras have returned to normal, and every morning, my husband and I wake up in a quiet, kid-free home.
While I’ve settled into this new phase of life without little ones, cherishing tiny toes and sticky kisses, I’ve realized there are certain habits I need to shake off now that my children are older. Here are six things to stop doing:
- Eating Their Leftovers
Once upon a time, snatching bites from my kids’ plates was a survival tactic during chaotic lunch times. Now, eating their leftover pizza crusts or half-finished pasta feels unnecessary—and a bit gross when I think about it. - Wearing Worn-Out Pajamas
During the nursing years, it made total sense to lounge around in faded yoga pants and an old T-shirt. But those days of midnight feedings and toddler messes are behind me. I doubt my husband would mind if I upgraded my sleepwear to something a bit more stylish. - Leaving Space in the Bed
For years, our bed was a shared space with little bodies joining us at night. Even after our youngest started sleeping in his own room, we still left half the bed open for potential night visitors. Now that it’s just the two of us, we still cuddle up closely. Maybe we’ll keep that tradition! - Listening to Kids’ Music in the Car
Our firstborn loved the soundtrack from Oklahoma, followed by a slew of kids’ music that, while tolerable, wasn’t my favorite. Now that my kids are older, I can finally tune into NPR or my own playlists without complaints. They better appreciate that if they want rides to the mall! - Sneaking in Veggies
For years, I’ve been blending and hiding vegetables in meals to ensure my kids got their greens. Newsflash! It’s always been spinach, kids! Time to embrace veggies without the disguise. - Taking Over Their Chores
I often find myself exasperated when my kids struggle with simple tasks, like loading the dishwasher or making their beds. My instinct is to swoop in and do it myself, but they’re capable of handling these chores. If I can only step back and let them learn.
Despite these habits I need to kick, one thing remains constant: I’m still completely enchanted by my kids. I used to marvel at their tiny features and cherish every giggle and snuggle. Even though they’ve grown and don’t carry that baby scent anymore, my awe has not faded. I thought I would outgrow this, but I find myself just as enamored by them now as I was when they were little.
I knew I would miss my babies, but I didn’t realize that having big kids could be just as magical. While there are adjustments to make, falling in love with them over and over again isn’t something I’ll ever stop doing.
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Summary:
As my children transition from toddlers to big kids, I’ve realized there are certain habits I need to let go of, such as eating their leftovers and wearing old pajamas. However, no matter how much they grow, my admiration for them remains unwavering. This post highlights the adjustments needed as they grow up, while also celebrating the joys of parenting at any stage.
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