It’s no secret that kids grow up fast—really fast! When I look back to my late twenties, when I first started having kids, it feels like it was just last week. But here I am, eight years later. Having kids young gave me a physical edge, but now at 35, I know so much more. But let’s talk about kids growing up.
Treasure Every Moment
They mature and move on faster than we realize, which is why it’s so important to savor the moments we have right now. Today, my babies are 8, 5, and 4. This exact day with these ages will never come again. They’re at these wonderful ages where they can do so much on their own, yet still need that comforting hug from Mom after a fall at the playground. They still want me to tuck them into bed at night and tell me all their secrets. No more diapers, but I’m still cutting up their food. It’s this sweet middle ground where I treasure every day, yet it’s bittersweet knowing how quickly time flies. I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness when I think about how soon they’ll spend more time out of my house than in it. Studies say kids only spend about a third of their lives with their parents—that feels so short when you’ve spent years growing them, staying up at night, and worrying through their childhood and teenage years.
Today, for the first time, I had five full hours at home without the kids while they were at school. My job doesn’t start for another two weeks, so it’s nice to have some time to myself. Yet, I missed them more than I thought I would. I used to dream of the day I’d get a moment to myself when they were all in school, but now that it’s here, I wish I could go back to when they were little babies who couldn’t even walk yet. It’s funny how we always think the grass is greener. The truth is, I love this stage. I love that they need me and don’t need me at the same time. If I could stretch these moments out a little longer, I would. That’s why it’s so important to live in the now.
My advice for parents at any stage, enjoy the little moments. Go out for ice cream. Put your phone down and watch them play or get on the floor with them. Go outside and kick or toss a ball around with them, however tired you may be, they will remember those little things you did in the long run. I know because I can say the same thing about my parents who were always volunteering to coach my teams and make my birthdays as special as possible. Let them be little for as long as they can, because we all know that adulthood isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be.
Remembering Them Now
Some things to remember about my boys right now:
Billy– My talker, my lawyer, my sensitive boy. He’s a natural leader, especially to his younger brothers, who practically worship him. Stubborn and competitive, Billy loves to win—whether it’s sports, games, or small challenges, it’s all the World Series to him. He complains that he doesn’t like school, but he thrives in a social environment and is a great learner. He’s a fast thinker and often rushes through tasks, eager to move on to the next thing. His dream is to be a professional athlete in baseball, hockey, soccer, or basketball—he’s good at all of them! Watching him pitch in baseball and win his championship this summer reminded me how grown-up he already is. These kids have so much talent, and Billy’s fire for life will take him far.
Benny – My heart, my worrier, my caring boy. Benny has such a soft spot for animals and wants to be a vet when he grows up. He’s sensitive and can get anxious when facing new challenges, but his hard work and determination always pay off. Benny excels in school and loves to learn new things. He’s an excellent test-taker (unlike his mom!) and is always pushing himself to learn new things. He’s also my jokester, constantly sneaking up on people to make them laugh. Benny’s love and heart is as big as his rock and shell collection from the beach.
Charlie – My fighter, my tough guy, and the family’s comic relief. Charlie loves to make everyone laugh with his silly dances, songs, and voices. He dreams of driving trains when he grows up and has a mind for building and engineering. Give him a marble run or a train set, and he’ll have an elaborate setup built in no time. Charlie’s endured more physically than most people do in a lifetime, and we’ve just reached the stage where he asks, “What’s this, Mommy?” pointing to his feeding tube scar and surgery scar. I tell him that those scars make him the warrior he is today. Watching him confidently walk into full-day pre-K fills me with pride and also makes me see that he is not a baby anymore. Charlie is destined for amazing things—he’s compassionate, loving, and truly authentic.
Freddie – Our two-year-old puppy, who is as much a part of our family as anyone. He never strays from our property because he knows how good he has it. Freddie greets everyone with a kiss and loves being around his people. We are so lucky to have such a patient, loving, and fun dog.
My boys are incredible people, and I can’t wait to watch them grow into amazing men—even though part of me wants to freeze time. One day, they might be fathers and husbands, but no matter what, I know they’ll be kind humans who share their talents with the world. In ten years, when they’re 18, 15, and 14, I’ll look back on this post and see how far we’ve come. Until then, I’ll try to be more patient (advice I should take myself) and savor these fleeting moments. Slow down, spend time, and be kind!