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The Seven Ages Of Parenting
Phase 1: The thought that gives you goosebumps.
Your biological clock ticks away and prompts you to smile at every cute baby face you see. Should you start a family of little ones? This tickles your curiosity as you love to "make" babies.
Phase 2: Pregnant or not?
You check your calendar to see that your period is late. Oh my. This really could be happening. Your heart beats faster at the thought of having a baby on the way. Your bladder pushes you to go to the bathroom as you feel a kick in your stomach.
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A few months later and you know all about those kicks - and the elbows. Plus backache, piles, swollen ankles, varicose veins - who was responsible for getting you into this state????
Here she comes. Your baby pushes and pushes making you have the mouth of a sailor. During labor you decide to never make babies ever again. But wait, she has ten fingers, ten toes, and a sweet smile.
Stage 3: Your life has changed forever.
Sleepless nights, sore nipples, dieting to lose all those extra pounds. Meanwhile, the little darling can do no wrong. Look! She smiles! And she has discovered her toes! I wonder if they really taste so good?
First time: sitting, crawling, standing, walking. First word, First solid food. First potty. First full blown, lie-on-the-floor-and-kick-the-feet tantrum. Each a major achievement to celebrate.
Nursery rhymes and pat-a-cake - crucial for child development but, all too often these days, delegated to the TV.
Your baby hits the academic world. You know she is ready, but will miss her.
Phase 4: Playing outside and with friends
She is growing up. She goes to school with other children. She wears a uniform and it seems like she is almost old enough to vote.
The bathroom humor surfaces. Who knew relieving one's self could be so funny.
Common "firsts" evolve to the first best friend and the first time facing rejection. She loves to run around the playground and ends up with bumps and scrapes. She realizes that life is not always fair.
You want them to be independent, but it is hard. Why can't you have the ability to protect them from the world?
Stage 5: She hits the books.
Play times fall by the wayside when they have to learn the alphabet and addition. It may be easier for your child or it may feel like the teacher is speaking Chinese. If your child succeeds easily you have a fairly smooth ride ahead of you. If your child has trouble then you will have many potholes on the road called "school".
Even so, there are always the little events to remember - All she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth (along with Barbie and a puppy dog!)
Remember they are not babies. They need to follow rules and do their chores.
Stage 6: She hits middle school.
Girls will be girls and boys will be boys - and never the two shall mix. Well, why would they? The girls are all into pink and giggle too much - and the boys are just too cool for such silliness.
Your fashion sense will be out of style no matter what. No one wears the clothes you have in your wardrobe and your daughter will point this out to you. You will wonder what fashion icon your child is emulating.
Lingo changes from what you said when you were her age.
First bra, first period. Lipstick and make-up. Squeaky voice that breaks. Antiperspirant.
Phase 7: They hit the social scene.
Suddenly boys and girls are not so alien after all. Does (s)he fancy me?
Your daughter gives you her advice and opinions whether you ask for them or not.
Parents are not cool while friends are the top of their social list. Your daughter wants to stay out late with friends. Can't you just be a cool mom and let her stay out until 3am?
Special moments arise when you can have a great discussion with your young adult child. Just make sure you listen and don't sound like a teacher.
Your daughter has become an adult with goals, aspirations, and endless energy.
Phase 8 (well, who said I could count?)
So they've left home - but they are still your little darlings. Your worries and hopes for them continue.
You will always have a place in your heart for your children no matter what they do.
Time flies. Take a moment to enjoy the specialness of each and every day with your children. |
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