I’m sure there are people on both sides of this issue. My babies are growing up . . . and I’m not sure I’m ready.
| She Said | He Said |
| Maybe it’s the dreary cold weather . . . but I found myself in deep thought today about our kids. We have an 8th grade son and a 4th grade girl – and they are my sunshine. I was fortunate enough to become a stay-at-home mom when John was two (Thanks Jack!) and have thoroughly enjoyed being mom.Today, I was carrying laundry into the kids’ rooms and took a moment to look around – no I wasn’t snooping. I realized that they are growing up right under my nose and even though I’m here for every step of growth, I feel like I’ve had blinders on. My son is now officially taller than me (woe is me!) and my daughter has proudly passed my shoulder. What happened to the adorable toddlers that would climb in my lap just to rest their weary heads? What happened to the small clothes that used to give me a warm and fuzzy feeling when I folded laundry? Now, my son is wearing men’s shoes and will very soon outgrow the ‘boys 8-20′ section.My husband Jack teases that as soon as they turn 18 he’s opening the door to send them on their way. He is teasing, isn’t he? Yes, I believe he is.
Is there anyone else out there who doesn’t look forward to their kids growing up and leaving the nest? By the same token, anyone feel just the opposite? |
Jill knows better than any that I always wanted kids. The experience has been more rewarding (and more frustrating) than I ever thought possible.I love my wife furiously, but there is just nothing that compares to holding a child that you helped create. It’s not about loving more or less it is about a different sort of love altogether.
The whole baby thing did little for me, I honestly think all babies are ugly (no offense dear) but really! They are all like amoebas, small, wrinkled, unable to communicate… they do nothing but live. As kids begin to learn and grow it is another story. Young kids accept their parents unconditionally. They laugh when you have no sense of humor, they befriend you when you don’t deserve it. They love you regardless of how much you spend on them or how ignorant you are as a parent. Growing older you have the unique opportunity to really interact with your kids, you can almost see them grow and watch them develop into real people. These toddler to tween years is when parents have the opportunity to really help their kids form into the people and personalities that they will be. This is when you must instill the values and principles that are important to you. As kids become teenagers they still have a lot of learning in front of them but the essence of who they will become is largely in place. All the years, blood, sweat and tears that you have invested in your kids culminates somewhere between their 18th birthday and early twenties. This is when your kids are expected to go out into the real world and contribute to society. The reason we have kids is to continue our genetic chain and to support the continued growth and improvement of our population. I miss my kids when I go to work for the day but I have been dreaming of joy I will feel when they become responsible and productive members of our society. My greatest joy will be when I learn that they are starting their own families. |
Kids do grow up. Should parents be trying to teach them to live on their own as soon as possible?
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