Strangers often have a lot of unsolicited advice for parents. One thing that everyone says is “Kids grow up too fast.” There are times when you want your child to grow up just a little bit quicker. Who really likes walking around like a zombie from lack of sleep due to a baby needing to be fed or just feeling like hanging out at 3:00 am in the morning? How many potty accidents can one toddler have? Will the sassiness of being seven ever stop (oh, wait? That’s only my house? Please say it isn’t so!)? The upcoming teenage years absolutely terrify me.
Sometimes as parents we are so focused on getting through the right now that we don’t realize that every day our children are growing up (and in turn, we do too).
Last night we had a 5:00 am intruder into our bedroom. The pitter patter of five-year-old feet woke me up and Little Sister was at my side of the bed telling me that the kitty was knocking at her door. Does your cat do that too? When our cat is locked out of the room he tries his very hardest to get in and makes sounds like knocking. It’s super annoying, especially in the middle of the night. So I opened the covers and pulled Little Sister in for a hug. Instead of being annoyed that my sleep was being disrupted I cuddled with my little girl….who is growing up just a little each and every day. I know that one day she won’t make me kiss her hands before school and my chances to cuddle with her will be nonexistent. Maybe kids really do grow up too fast?
Today I will:
Take the time to say “yes” instead of “no” to at least one of my children’s semi-unreasonable requests.
Smile more than normal.
Write a letter to each of my girls for them to read today telling them how special they are.
Give everyone in my family an extra hug.
Call my dad…..and text my brother.
What about you? Will you take a pause for a few minutes and do something a little differently today too?
Leandrea is a married mom of two girls, ages 13 and 12, living in Atlanta, GA. She is passionate about helping people save money one coupon at a time. Read more
Too cute! Thank you for the tips.
I love this. I really need to write letters to my kids. I always tell my husband, they won’t be this little for long. I love when my son comes in for snuggles!
Hi Leandrea,
Oh how true is your post? When our oldest bunch was little, we didn’t have our priorities in check and we missed out on so much with them. We have taken such a step back in our lives to really enjoy every moment we can with them. They grow up so fast.
Each night I cuddle with my youngest bunch, listen to their heartbeats, and remain in awe of their beauty. I am IN love with my children so much more today than I could have ever imagined.
I love your letters to your girls. I would encourage you to also keep a journal as a gift to your children. Tell stories about your day and how thankful you are for each day with them – you will find that while they may cherish this gift when they are older, you too will cherish it as they age and you start to forget their younger years.
Go give those littles of yours a hug…. Kids grow up too fast!
Victoria
Mommy’s Playbook
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing.
I have been stopping a lot of things lately and being in the moment. And you know what? It’s freaking awesome. Screw the dishes. That tea party actually CAN’T wait.
You better believe it. They grow up so fast and before you know it they will be out of the nest. I take every single school day from 3 – 8 pm and I turn off all of my technology to devote to my son.
They do grow up so fast. My girls are 12, 8, and 7, and it seems like just yesterday I was pregnant with my 12 year old! Then, on the other hand.. when they’re fighting and WONT. SHUT. UP. … it’s like I should be a grandparent already because my head is going gray!
You are 1000% correct. My baby is a nine year old now and she is at a completely different stage. Thanks for the reminder to look at life’s happenings from the positive viewpoint!
My 5 yr old is growing up too fast too. It is so bitter sweet. I love watching her grow up and becoming a big kid, but I miss my baby girl.
My immediate response to everything in life is no because I’m a realist by nature, so I have trained myself to not say anything or give an answer until I let it sink in and can logically think things through.
What an inspiring post! Thanks for sharing.
I am all about taking what I have and enjoying it. Sometimes I forget and this is a really good reminder
My hubby and I were just talking last night about being more intentional about doing fun things with our kids. Tonight I will plan something fun, I will say yes when out little ones ask for something ridiculous, and we will all have a dance party in the living room! 🙂
I agree I am going to say yes to some unreasonable requests more often. I am sitting here listening to my teenage son sing and play guitar, reminded that he is amazing, but growing up way too fast.
This post touched my heart so much! I try to live my life like this, but sometimes the everyday gets in the way. And, YES – kids grow up way too fast – cherish every moment, mamas!
Everyday, I make it a habit to spend at least 10 minutes with each of my children – not talking about chores or school, but about them and anything they are interested in.
Those are good ideas. Kids do grow so fast! I feel like yesterday mine was just learning to crawl and now we are getting ready for his second birthday.
I’ll take the time to see if I can actually engage my teen son in real conversation. (Though he still gets kisses before he leaves for school and before bed.)
I will try to say yes more often I say no so much the kids kind of expect it but I like to surprise them with a yes. I love doing different things keeps you on your toes.