Tag Archives: growing

Same Story, Act 2

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My husband and I began to have children right out of college, we got married before our Senior year and I was pregnant right away. After we got over the initial shell shock reaction, we were excited that we will be “young, hip” parents. We bragged about how we will still be young when our kids are in high school, we won’t be “old foggies.” Most of all we bragged to ourselves we will be done with our child rearing days and will be able to enjoy being grandparents while still at a relatively young age.

All of the above is still true today. We are in our middle 30’s and have our oldest son entering high school. Many of our friends our age, have kids that are younger. I will only be just turning 40 when my oldest graduate’s high school and I could easily become a grandparent by the time I am in my late 40’s.

But right now I am not bragging so much. My youngest turns 10 on Monday and I want time to stop. All my kids will be in double digits. In the same summer my oldest will be entering high school and my middle child becomes an official teenager (13). My arms feel empty. Slowly each of my boys are become more independent and rely more on Dad than Mom. Don’t get me wrong, I know I am still very much needed, it is just different.

So I feel like I am entering Act 2 in my parenting journey. I look forward to the excitement of each of my boys first date, I look forward to the exciting times in youth group where they will learn more about God and begin to know Him as their own. I look forward to seeing what exciting things the Lord has in mind for each of their lives. I wait with anticipation to meet the girls my sons will marry, for each girl I have been praying for since the birth of my sons. I live for the day to be able to look the girl in the eyes and cup my hands on her face and tell her, “I have been praying over you all of my son’s life, welcome!”

But at the same time, I know I will have to let them become their own person. My days of constant “mothering” will be over before I know it. I begin now watching them go from entering teenage hood to becoming men. And if I am honest, some days that is just plain hard.

So this weekend I will spend enjoying my youngest son, cuddling with him on the couch and smothering him with “mommy love,” that is if he lets me. On Monday it will be the same story, just Act 2.

I also praise God Mom is arriving on Tuesday, I think I need the girltime.

Don’t Grow Too Fast

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He slumps into the car as I pick him up from school. I could tell he was not happy one bit. Middle brother was in the back talking up a storm so I could not interrupt and ask what was wrong. I hear chatter in the back on how “we” have an assignment of finding the best insulator for ice. Notice how all assignments are “we”, instead of “I”. (this picture is how I think of him) Anyways, we arrive home. And I get a chance to ask other brother what was wrong. He said shyly, “there is a girl in my class I like and she has another boyfriend.” My hand grip the steering wheel as my voice ever so sweetly says, “Oh do you know this boy, is he in your class?” “I don’t know his name, but I know who he is,” my son said. I gave him a big hug and told him I loved him, but also reminded him he is too young to have a girlfriend. For right now in your life, Mommy is your only gal. He smiled and gave me a big hug.

Now some of you might be thinking I am talking about my oldest (who is about to turn 13), which I could handle a little better. But NO I am talking about my 8 year old. My baby, my “he will never grow up” son, my “he will never leave his mother and will live near by me always son”.

Please plug your ears as I S. C. R. E. A. M !!!! (Sorry, I feel a little bit better) Ok I am having a hard enough time knowing my baby days are over. I know my 13 year old will seriously begin to really like girls, girls will be calling, and he will send me to the store to buy tons of deodorant. And I will be running back ground checks. But some how while I was not looking, it seemed to skip oldest son and went straight to my youngest. This just breaks my heart on so many levels. My youngest has always since day one wanted to be “the big boy”. He wanted to be like his big brothers, compete like his big brothers, etc.. And as far as sports go, he is my most competitive. He. Does. Not. Like. To. Lose.

But during his whole life I have tried to keep him my little boy. Does anyone else have this with their youngest? How come I am suddenly having this fear, the youngest will move out the day after high school graduation. I have this vision of me with my suitcase, yelling “wait you can’t move you are not old enough, I will come with you”. Ok I am kidding; I do look forward to more time with manly man.

But I want to keep my sons just the age they are right now. I am not dealing with teenage issues yet, they can feed themselves, they can go to the bathroom themselves. Yep, right now for each of them is the perfect age (12, 11, & 8). I think maybe I should declare no more birthday’s in this household. Do you think that would go over with the boys? Nah…me neither.

(This is reality)