This Weeks Ponderance:
Memories.
My daughter is 12 now and going on 13. She's a tween and entering teen! OMG! How time passes. I can remember when we brought her home from the hospital. I laid on our chase and slept with her in my arms. She was SOOOO small. So sweet. So fragile. So new. Everything was so new for all of us.
Feedings were hard. I had trouble with breast feeding so we did all kinds of things to make it work. Pumping... now there's a memory!
First foods, first steps, first tooth, firsts of all kinds. One of my favorites was the first birthday cake! We made a tiny bear cake. She didn't know what to do with it at first, however, she figured it out pretty quick!
Yes, I was one of those moms who cried the first day of Kindergarten. I walked her up to the door, hugged and kissed her. Watched her walk in then went to the car and balled my head off! I missed her already. When I picked her up at the end of the day she was so energized and couldn't tell me enough about what she did and who she met! Every year the same cycle, First day of school drop off kiddo, cry, last day of school pick up kiddo, cry. We loved to give a gift to everyone at school who was special to us.
We homeschool now and I still cry but for different reasons LOL! Honestly, we have good days and bad days like a regular school. The coolest part is seeing the lightbulb go off when a concept clicks into her mind or when she discovers something new like a song or something in history that she never knew but excites her. There are great celebrations when something tough is mastered. It fills my heart.
Just a couple years ago when we entered into the COVID years she was entering her tween years. Things were different. Kiddo didn't get to engage in the usual social activities. We began communicating with friends and family different. That's changed how we all communicate now. Especially kids.
I have to say I'm proud of her. Things may have been tough rom time to time but seeing her grow is an amazing journey. Watching her become an intelligent, exuberant, kind, giving young lady makes my heart sing.
She's amazing.
Regrets. Everyone has something even if it's small. Mine. I feel I haven't spent enough time with her. I feel this way because every moment counts. Every moment from birth till now. It's all precious. I just can't get enough of this little gem. (Can't tell I'm proud can you?)
My advice to parents:
Yes, spend as much time as you can with your littles. They grow so very fast. However, don't forget about yourself. Self care is key. As they say you can't pour from and empty cup. There's more truth to this than it sounds.
Create a schedule that includes everything that's important. Family, Work, Vacations etc. Make your personal list of what you want to make time for. Then make the time. Make the memories. Make the connections. These are just as important if not more so than school.
With that I'll say you are doing it all right. Give yourself the credit you deserve and know when your child says they love you, they do. Never question that.
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Melissa Shrader
Editor and Publisher Fort Collins Macaroni KID
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