I have this little kernel of dread in my heart that soon enough my sweet, loving almost 6-year-old son who routinely tells me how much he loves me ("I love you more than Super Mario, Mom. I love you so much I could cry.") will be a smelly, moody tween/teen.
But, I also have a kernel of hope because there has been minimal friction through puberty with my 16-year-old daughter. I know they're different, but I'm ever hopeful. Not sure I'm prepared for him to break my heart while she's away at college. Maybe I'll just get really in to yoga during that season, right?
It's a weird feeling because I do feel sad but yet I don't want to go back. I sincerely enjoy my kids getting older and more independent. I like them and have fun with them and am so grateful they can make themselves a bowl of cereal, watch a movie with me, and wipe their own asses (well, more or less.)
If it makes you feel better it's like the second I put this all down in writing my 9 YO seemed a little less moody/secretive. (But this morning I also basically reiterated the "What are you bringing to this relationship" speech to my bitchy-ass hangry 6-year-old.)
This is the thing! I have never been one of those "oh, I wish my kids would stay babies forever" moms. Like you, I really enjoy them getting older and more independent. It's so fun watching them navigate their ever expanding world and I'm really enjoying the transition with my oldest to more hands-off parenting because we set the foundation when she was younger and she doesn't need me as much.
I am bookmarking the 'what are you bringing to this relationship' conversation in my brain.
OMG this is so timely for me. My eleven-year-old will FIGHT TO THE DEATH on any topic, as long as she is on the opposite side of me. At first I would try to be right, but now I just let it go.
I have this little kernel of dread in my heart that soon enough my sweet, loving almost 6-year-old son who routinely tells me how much he loves me ("I love you more than Super Mario, Mom. I love you so much I could cry.") will be a smelly, moody tween/teen.
But, I also have a kernel of hope because there has been minimal friction through puberty with my 16-year-old daughter. I know they're different, but I'm ever hopeful. Not sure I'm prepared for him to break my heart while she's away at college. Maybe I'll just get really in to yoga during that season, right?
It's a weird feeling because I do feel sad but yet I don't want to go back. I sincerely enjoy my kids getting older and more independent. I like them and have fun with them and am so grateful they can make themselves a bowl of cereal, watch a movie with me, and wipe their own asses (well, more or less.)
If it makes you feel better it's like the second I put this all down in writing my 9 YO seemed a little less moody/secretive. (But this morning I also basically reiterated the "What are you bringing to this relationship" speech to my bitchy-ass hangry 6-year-old.)
This is the thing! I have never been one of those "oh, I wish my kids would stay babies forever" moms. Like you, I really enjoy them getting older and more independent. It's so fun watching them navigate their ever expanding world and I'm really enjoying the transition with my oldest to more hands-off parenting because we set the foundation when she was younger and she doesn't need me as much.
I am bookmarking the 'what are you bringing to this relationship' conversation in my brain.
OMG this is so timely for me. My eleven-year-old will FIGHT TO THE DEATH on any topic, as long as she is on the opposite side of me. At first I would try to be right, but now I just let it go.