This week, my oldest child turns 8 and my youngest child is 16 months. How is that even possible?
In my mind, I should not even be old enough to have an 8-year old.
Plus, there is the added shocking realization that my youngest "baby" is not even a baby anymore. He is a toddler. He is every bit a toddler, too. He walks. He talks (a little bit). He demands. He tantrums.
For the first time in an entire decade, I am neither pregnant, nursing, nor caring for an infant. I have moved out of the "baby" stage of motherhood.
I am in a new season.
It is nice. I have always assured my husband that the children get easier as they get older. A 3 month old is easier to care for than a newborn. A 4 year old is easier than a 2 year old. 7-year olds are a true gift. The children gain skills and independence as they grow. I enjoy each stage while I am there. Then, I enjoy the next stage when I reach it, too. I love to watch my kids grow and develop.
I have the luxury of getting to enjoy many stages at once. This is the first time I have actually completed a stage, with all of my children. Looking at my current life, I see that the biggest difference when growing out of the baby stage revolves around 3 things.....furniture, sleep, and food.
Clearing out all of the baby equipment (swing, crib, high chair, bassinet, etc) really opens up the home and makes it look much bigger.
For the most part, our children sleep through the night. That means that my husband and I have an opportunity to sleep through the night. Plus, we have our late evenings free, as the kids go to bed at the same time. Even if the kids are woken for some reason (illness, bad dream, etc) they come to us! We do not have to go to them. I can usually answer questions and direct solutions to their nighttime issues right from the comfort and warmth of my own bed. As a result, I am certainly feeling more rested than in years past.
Meals are simplified because everyone eats the same stuff, at the same time. There are no more bottles, bibs, special milk, or puree appliances. I can cook the food and toss it in the general direction of the kids, and they are all old enough to get it to their own mouths!
Completing the baby stage is an eye-opening reminder to me that the season of motherhood is so short. Children grow up too quickly. I need to take the time to enjoy them now, at each and every stage. It won't be long before they are flying from the nest.
In my mind, I should not even be old enough to have an 8-year old.
Plus, there is the added shocking realization that my youngest "baby" is not even a baby anymore. He is a toddler. He is every bit a toddler, too. He walks. He talks (a little bit). He demands. He tantrums.
For the first time in an entire decade, I am neither pregnant, nursing, nor caring for an infant. I have moved out of the "baby" stage of motherhood.
I am in a new season.
It is nice. I have always assured my husband that the children get easier as they get older. A 3 month old is easier to care for than a newborn. A 4 year old is easier than a 2 year old. 7-year olds are a true gift. The children gain skills and independence as they grow. I enjoy each stage while I am there. Then, I enjoy the next stage when I reach it, too. I love to watch my kids grow and develop.
I have the luxury of getting to enjoy many stages at once. This is the first time I have actually completed a stage, with all of my children. Looking at my current life, I see that the biggest difference when growing out of the baby stage revolves around 3 things.....furniture, sleep, and food.
Clearing out all of the baby equipment (swing, crib, high chair, bassinet, etc) really opens up the home and makes it look much bigger.
For the most part, our children sleep through the night. That means that my husband and I have an opportunity to sleep through the night. Plus, we have our late evenings free, as the kids go to bed at the same time. Even if the kids are woken for some reason (illness, bad dream, etc) they come to us! We do not have to go to them. I can usually answer questions and direct solutions to their nighttime issues right from the comfort and warmth of my own bed. As a result, I am certainly feeling more rested than in years past.
Meals are simplified because everyone eats the same stuff, at the same time. There are no more bottles, bibs, special milk, or puree appliances. I can cook the food and toss it in the general direction of the kids, and they are all old enough to get it to their own mouths!
Completing the baby stage is an eye-opening reminder to me that the season of motherhood is so short. Children grow up too quickly. I need to take the time to enjoy them now, at each and every stage. It won't be long before they are flying from the nest.
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