Listen, I know. I know we’re gonna miss this, as the song says. I know I’ll look back on these times with fondness and nostalgia, and dream of the time I could hold their chubby hands and smooch their squishy cheeks. I was experiencing many of these feelings — and starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with our oldest son — when our second son came along. For context, my sons are now (newly) six and almost two. I also realize, and somewhat dread, that the future will be more complicated. I’m not ready to police phones and internet usage, have to decide which video games are appropriate, and worry about what they’re doing once they can drive and hang out with friends. But I can’t deny that physically, mentally, emotionally, I’m ready for a break from the toddler/little kid years! I treasure that time, while also being excited for the years between toddlerhood and teenage-hood, although I hope we’ll enjoy the teenage years too!
Here are some of the milestones my car, my house, and I are all ready for:
- For my kids to listen and follow instructions. I’m just ready for the day I can say, “Put your shoes on!” and everybody actually puts their shoes on! (Honestly, this is all I really want…the rest are just icing on the cake!)
- For everyone to be able to go to sleep without us.
- No more car seats in the car.
- Able to brush their own teeth without me checking.
- No more diapers or potty training! Or butt wiping! Or accidents!
- Not having to remind them to speak up, look people in the eye, and use manners when speaking to adults.
- No one crying when I don’t respond favorably to their requests/demands.
- No one crying in the car if the ride is too long.
- No more annoying kid shows or songs.
- No more sippy cups to wash and come tumbling out of my cabinets every time I open them.
- Everyone being able to blow their own nose.
- Being able to assign these kids some household chores (yes, we have started them on some basics).
- Everyone being able to swim on their own.
- No more policing high-risk choking foods.
- Everyone sleeping through the night.
- Not having to worry about anyone running straight into the road every time we go outside.
After listing all those things, I’m already feeling a little nostalgic…all I can do is trust that there will be sweet and good moments when they’re eight, 10, 16, 18, and beyond!
