It is a Beautiful Thing

It is a beautiful thing...children growing up. Hard sometimes to watch them move forward because we remember them as needing us so much. They still need us, just not as much. Which is a good thing, because it means we've been doing our job right. Right?! 

The four munchkins.

I will be the first to admit that I revel in my children growing up. I enjoy watching them learn and do new things all the time. With four children ages 2-10, I am neck-deep in developmental milestones. Potty training, learning how to write their name, drawing pictures of our family, walking to the school bus by themselves. I can't help but love the fact that they can do things on their own. Sometimes my husband has to tell me to not push them quite so much. And lately, I've tried to let that sink in. He misses a lot because he travels for work. While I am here every day watching them grow and learn. Yes, there have been times I've said, "I can't wait until you're grown up and can do everything on your own!"

But, then there are times, now that three of my kids are in school, that I wonder what it will be like, someday, when I'm not knee-deep in those developmental milestones. How will I spend my days? What will I do when they no longer need me as much? So, while I still revel in watching them make toast, do their own laundry, call friends to make plans, and clean up the dishes. I also make sure to do something else; live in the moment of their childhood. 

I enjoy their kisses, and hugs, and bouquets of weeds. I love when my five-year-old comes to me dressed in jeans, mismatched socks, a skirt, and one-sided pony tail. I delight in bath time, and story time, and dinner time. Sure, not everyday is a Disney fairytale. There are fights, back talk, screaming. Tantrums get thrown, toys get thrown, all sorts of not-so-awesome stuff happens, too. 

But on that day when my last child leaves the nest - one of their last developmental milestones - dare I say, what will I remember? What will be the lasting impression I have of their childhood. What will be theirs? 

I hope it's that they had a mother who cared enough to teach them to take care of themselves. But who also taught them not to forget that mother just because they don't need her as much.