It’s like a different person in the crib every 4 weeks. She changes and grows so much it’s unbelievable. We are so lucky we get to see this happen. Magical doesn’t feel like hyperbole.
Im sure going to an empty nest is a massive shift. When you have a new kid it’s hard but everyone can focus on the kid. When it’s just you… seems challenging. I’m glad you’re doing well
Kids get more and more interesting as they get older. The teenage years can be frustrating at times, but then they develop into interesting and accomplished young adults with their whole lives ahead of them, and they head off to college or wherever.
But it's not just a shift. It's devastating and leaves a hole that doesn't ever get filled.
This article put it pretty well.
Eventually, the cosmologists assure us, our sun and all suns will consume their fuel, violently explode and then become cold and dark. Matter itself will evaporate into the void and the universe will become desolate for the rest of time.
This was the general drift of my thoughts as my wife and I dropped off my eldest son as a freshman at college.
*tiny arms wrapped tightly around a neck to give a hug. *their giggles you can unleash. *the sight of all three (6yo, 3.5yo, 1.3yo) playing together so wonderfully. *their pride at doing something for the first time -- walking in snowboots, jumping on one leg, etc.
So many memories and thoughts. Where do I start? I'll just say it was the best time of our lives. All the highs and all the lows. Nothing like it. We're grandparents now and my son who has 2 kids told me that he wished he could spray some non toxic chemical on his kids that would keep them at their current age. Of course 6 months later he told me the same thing. Every age is special and just when you get used to what your kids are doing, they change!
And just like you can't explain being a parent to a non-parent, you can't explain being a empty nester. The quiet house is nice for a couple of weeks, then WTF happened? It was pretty difficult for the Mrs. and I and we almost got divorced. Things are fine now and have been for 10+ years, but whoa that was difficult too.
Enjoy parenting, its the adventure of a lifetime!
So true! As a grandparent I treasure the visits with my three grandchildren. When my wife and I approach their house and they run out the door and give us hugs, whatever issues I might have disappear. For the next several hours I live in their world and marvel at how wonderful it is. It is only when my back is out of whack or the dreaded two hour drive home that we tear ourselves away from our happy place. For those of you waiting for your grandpa and grandma era, it is incredible.
1. When they were little and after a hard run taking a nap with my kid napping on my chest with me.
2. When they were teenagers and passing me on a double black diamond mountain bike downhill.
The first was very comforting and the second was irritating at first because it made me feel 'old'! Ha, I got over it and enjoyed all of their achievements!.
Wow, this is a fun one to think about, and hard to pick one thing!
My toddler tends to narrate everything she does, so maybe my favorite memory so far is listening to her talk to herself for an hour as she tries to keep herself awake. Jumping from story to story, a mixture of pure nonsense with brilliant turns of phrase, repeating phrases from stories we have read….
Wow, this is a fun one to think about, and hard to pick one thing!
My toddler tends to narrate everything she does, so maybe my favorite memory so far is listening to her talk to herself for an hour as she tries to keep herself awake. Jumping from story to story, a mixture of pure nonsense with brilliant turns of phrase, repeating phrases from stories we have read….
That’s very cute. I can’t wait for the babbling to turn into talking
I look back at my own life and know that I started hanging out with friends a lot more around the age of 8 and then a ton from 12 and beyond. So I'm looking at that knowing the time is limited where my kid will want to spend a bunch of time with me and play with me, so take advantage of that time, put the phone down, spend the time playing with toys. In high school you start seeing them less with all their activities and time with friends, then they go off to college and start their own life and you may only see them a few times a year. Or if you're lucky they might live close and it still might only be once a month. Also a reminder to spend time with your parents while they're still here.
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