It is hard to believe that our little squirt is now a not so little 15! He is enjoying school, playing guitar and most importantly, to him, is studying to take his driver’s permit test. That alone should make any parent realize that time is flying by. How did that happen? How did he get so old, so quick? If you ask, my kids will tell you “God let me.” Something we have talked about every since they were little. I would say something like. “How did you get so cute?” and they would reply “God let me.” One of the treasured memories I have of all my 3 kids. So besides the obvious of him studying to drive, he now fits into my husband’s clothes and shoes!
Just a couple weeks ago my husband was looking for socks and couldn’t find any. Turns out our oldest needed more socks and took his. So not only am I amazed about how we got to this point so quick, I am so excited to now know where to find all my husband’s missing clothes! Hubby has taken this pretty well. Sharing his shoes if needed, and just going with the flow. Me on the other hand, not so much. I have become more nostalgic about all the time that has pasted by. I look at my younger two in longing. Please don’t grow up so fast. Slow down. Enjoy being little.
I have heard, and even used the term myself, that the first child is a tester. In other words, that us parents have no clue what we really are doing with the first child. That we try the best we can, but really are learning how to parent, right along with our child’s growing age. I look back and wonder if I could have done better. Sure I probably could have, however the reality is that I did do my best at the time, with the knowledge I had. I didn’t realize how fast this time would go by.
If I could go back in time, what would I tell my old self?
- Sit on the floor and play with toys more.
- Let him get messy with paint.
- Only pick a few favorite toys to keep. The rest just will pile up and cause a mess that no-one wants to pick up.
- Make family sit down dinners a priority.
- Grammar is important…so teach it early, he will thank you later. (more on that in another post).
- You can do this!
- Enjoy the little things.
- Take more videos and pictures.
- Bible time needs to be more than Sunday mornings!
So, I may not be able to go back in time and fix things for my oldest child, but I do have the opportunity and blessing to work on making things better for my other two kiddos. I need to know that even though time has passed by quickly, parenting isn’t over yet. He is still here, at home, right where he belongs, and will be for several more years. We are able to continue to grow and learn as parents. And I plan on doing just that! I need to smile instead of reminiscing. Even though he is big enough to fit into my husband’s clothes, he is still my “little” squirt.
Are you dealing with a child growing up too quickly? How about just starting on your parenting journey? Either way I hope you hear what I am saying, and enjoy this time. Make the most of it. What would you tell your old self, if you could? Comment below and let us know.
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