My kids are growing up. I don't like to think about it and I certainly don't talk about it, just ask my husband. He likes to bring up the future and he gets the look of death. I wish I could stop the continuous march of time, and just always have the kids be my little babies. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do. It is relentless and unavoidable.
That's not to say I don't have moments of frustration. It is hard not to lose it when you're asked the same questions over and over again. But the other night, when I heard my son call out, like he does every night. Instead of getting annoyed, a lightbulb went off in my head. One day this will stop and I immediately felt empty.
Mommy, can you tuck me in?
It happens every night. We say goodnight, give love, and put them to bed. My son ends up out of bed playing his room, while my daughter reads. It is how they unwind after the day. I'm the same way. But it never fails, that as soon as I get comfy on the couch, starting my show on the DVR, he calls down to me. Mommy will you tuck me in?
Like I said, I won't lie and say I never get frustrated or groan to myself. That night though, it hit me, and hard. The sweet, angelic voice calling to me, loves me. And when these nights come to an end, I will be sitting on the couch, uninterrupted, listening to the silence.
The silence of a house with no kids, with no one who needs me, and no one who wishes for me to tuck them in. In that moment I know the tears will come. They are coming now.
And on that day I will think of all those little requests and miss them. Parents, I know it's hard somedays. But I'm making a silent promise to myself and to my children to be present, to stop minding that they are “interrupting me,” and to never overlook how precious this time we have together is. Because honestly, I want as many of these moments as I can get. As if somehow storing them up now will make it easier when they are few and far between. I don't know if that is true but I like to think it is.
My daughter started middle school this year, and I was reminded of that saying the days are long but the years are short. I hate that saying and I hated people who said that to me. Thinking about it, I'm pretty sure my hate for the cliche stems from that fact that deep down I know it's true. All I need to do is look at our photos on the wall to see just how much the kids have grown. Now as I sit here contemplating them growing up, I'm ready to admit the truth behind that saying.
Watching my son grow into a little man has been fun but hard. I looked at him this morning before school and thought, when did you get so big? He asked me why I looked sad and I said oh you know I want you to stay little forever. He laughed, said “I can't shrink,” and went about getting his backpack ready for school. Immediately it flashed in my mind, the days of him asking me to tuck him in, one more kiss, one more hug will be over before I know it.
Moms, I know it has been a long day. The kids have probably driven you up and over the wall. I get it. Silence and stillness are coming for you in the future. One day you won't have anyone to talk to except the dog or cat. The house will be quiet, the floors cleaned. You won't even trip over Lightning McQueen left in the middle of the floor. No one will care where you are, what you are doing, and why busses are yellow and not lime green. And that day will be a sad one indeed.
What a sweet post! I have tears in my eyes because I’m remembering back to the days when my kids asked to be tucked in every night. It was one of my favorite things to do. Back then, I had no idea how fast they would grow up and they now have children of their own.
Please enjoy the little things like tucking a child in bed. Now I have the privilege of tucking grandchildren into bed so I feel very lucky.
I love the word “present”. What a great choice! I find myself doing the same thing, getting annoyed by the things they ask me to do every night and then, like you, I remember that I won’t always have this. I need to enjoy every moment while it’s here.
I savor every minute I get with my kiddos! I am TOTALLY in love with my kiddo and hoping that we will always be close! I am SO happy that I can still put him to bed and read him a story every night!
I know the feeling of frustration, I’m there all the time and then I realize I have one in middle school and the other two will be there in the next two years. My middle one already blows me off. I’m holding onto hope that my youngest will need me forever.
My oldest is 18, and although she is still living at home, things like this, I miss it. I am trying to cherish every second of my 12 year olds moments, because they pass so quickly.
This is so sweet! I don’t always tuck my kids in, but I do always hug and kiss them goodnight. I love your Disney photos by the way.
My nine year old still lets me tuck him in. I dread the day he tells me to stop.
What a beautiful post. I tuck my seven-year-old in and still read him stories…and sometimes, he reads to me and tucks me in if I take a nap before he goes to bed!
I never consider my children to be interrupting me. Watching our kids grow up can be a bittersweet. But believe me, they will always need you in some way.
Love. Such a great post.
This post almost made me cry. Congratulations, you are really enjoying your motherhood and looks like you are doing a great job!
What sweet memories!! I don’ have kids but I know what you mean about babies growing up so fast! I swear my baby niece was just a baby herself but in all actuality she just turned 5!! What??
Time flies. It is best to enjoy each moment as it lasts knowing that the moment will never come back. Children seem to grow up so fast, and it is a pity there is no pause or rewind button to relive and enjoy the moments.
You have my heart. I am at that point where I am creeping up on the moment my son graduates and is leaving for college. The other night I was watching him sleep and all could do was cry because I knew in a matter of months his room would be empty.
You are not alone. My kids are 10 and 12 and they still want stories but now we changed it from their room to our room before we go to bed.
People who haven’t been parents don’t realize how fast the time passes. One day they’re two and the next they’re 22.
This is just so sweet! I’m 23 and my sister just turned 18 and is in college now – it’s crazy how fast the time goes! What’s most important is to always remember where home is! 🙂
You ain’t just whistlin’ La Guantanamera! They truly do get older quicker than we’d like- but that’s true about us too. ; ) Take care of your little ones and yourself. If it’s any consolation, take it from this grandma of 6, every age/lifetimeline has its plus side. BB2U
How touching! It made me remember those times when I was the world to my kids. It just seemed like a few years ago they were babies. Now they have their wings and venturing and starting to carve their niche in the world. It can get really lonely at times, but to see them successful in their careers is enough to make me happy in the thought that they were raised well. “The days are long but the years are short” – so very true.