Here, Let Me Do It

My first baby, my first adventure, and I know I’ll need support. Beaming with pride and yet trembling with fear at the enormous task ahead, I take this astounding gift and responsibility to the best mom I know: my own. I lovingly gaze at my newborn while my mother bends to change her diaper. She pulls the tabs out first…well, I normally wait until I’m ready to fasten, but…does she even have the clean diaper ready? Be sure you go front to back! Hang on, just…

Here, let me do it.

Three-years-old and raring to go! The first chill of fall is in the air, and I can’t wait for your friends at library story time to see your adorable winter wardrobe. And I’m not the only one! This little lady is determined to act grown in her brand new coat. Well, it’s only 62 degrees, but okay. The zipper goes like this, baby, you put the ends together and then… Yeah, okay, almost got it, just try again… Look, just pull it gently, not too fast…

Here, let me do it.

Oh my big girl, look how you’ve grown! You’re about to start pre-K, and it’s time you started taking more responsibility. Let’s brush those big girl teeth! I shouldn’t have to watch you all the time anymore. Just get a little toothpaste, not too much…Don’t forget about the back ones; yes ALL the way back…Are you going in little circles? Remember how mommy showed you…Just like…Well…

Here, let me do it.

Saturday mornings are the best, when we can spend all morning in our jammies! Remember when you used to climb in my bed to snuggle right after you woke up? You were so…What did you say? You want to make pancakes? How fun! Of course you can help. First we’re going to scoop some flou–woah there! Be careful so it doesn’t spill on the counter! Okay, we’ll get that later. Look, we just tap the egg right here to crack it…No, no, don’t let the shell get in there! Wait, honey, just…

Here, let me do it.

It’s such a pretty day, baby, you need to be playing outside. You want to play baseball? Sure, I’ll toss it to you! You stand right over there and I’ll throw it. Okay, ready? One, two…Oops, that one was too high, I’ll try again. All right here we go…Oh, sorry, the wind must have gotten it. Okay one more…Yes, I know it was short, but mommy isn’t a pro here. Look, I’m doing my best, I just… My son drags his bat to where I am standing, holds his hand out for the ball, and says…

Here mom, let me do it.

Shhh, it’s naptime, sweetie. No, I’m sorry, we don’t have time for another story. We just read two, and…Look, mommy has some things I need to do, so I can’t today. I know, but…Sissy? The door cracks open as my daughter peeks in, full of third grade skill, eager to please both mommy and baby brother. She sits down in the glider, lap and heart open, and says…

Here mom, let me do it.

Hey, you guys want to ride the big water slide? This looks so fun! It says you can do single or double, so we can ride it together! We’ll go faster in a double because it will weigh more! I’ll grab the bigger float while…Huh? You want to ride alone? I mean, wouldn’t it be more fun to…? My little boy, not so little anymore, is nearly eye-to-eye with me now. Adventurous spirit never quelled, he grins crookedly with that preteen smile when he says…

Here mom, let me do it.

First day of 8th grade, I know you want to make an impression! Oh, right, not too nice, that would look desperate, I guess that’s a good point. What about the new outfit I got you? Ah, not “your look,” okay…Hey, I can help you with your hair! Yeah, let’s do a messy bun. Right, messy enough to be cute but not too messy or it looks sloppy. Like you just woke up but also like an Instagram model, right…Okay, let’s just twist it like this…Too tight? Well, your hair is pretty long, but…Let me try one more thing…Yeah, I know it’s not what you were thinking, but if I can just… My teenage girl is so kind, so tender, so she doesn’t want to hurt my feelings. She gently pulls the scrunchie from her hair, reaches for the brush, and says…

Here mom, let me do it.

With every day that passes, it seems you all need me less and less as you find your way more and more. Soon I’ll be passing off homework that is over my head, tossing your car keys so you can drive to work, sitting back to watch you flourish in a path that is all your own, unfamiliar territory where I cannot follow but only admire from the sidelines. I can only hope you keep giving me season passes and front row seats. I have loved being your everything for as long as I could be, but as we both walk into the next season of our lives, I’m so proud to look up at you and say…

Here, you can do it.