It's Friday, and we are adjusting to being back to school. I am early to the pick up line and my little kid is snoozing in the car-seat after a busy day playing with his cousin. My big kid has had a good few weeks back it seems, and the “How was your day?” asked each afternoon, has been met with smiles and stories about new games made up at recess.
Fourth grade is a big year. We are at the age where he is not my little boy anymore, but also not quite mature enough to do all the big-kid stuff he requests. He wants more independence, but still a bedtime story at night. Big enough to want to ride his bike around town with his friends, but little enough momma's heart strings can't quite let go yet. I’m trying to back off a little and give him some room to grow.
But it is hard.
This sweet little baby I just held in my arms and rocked to sleep is becoming a young man faster than I can process.
This was the first year there were no tears at first day drop off... me, not him. I don't remember him ever having tears. Any nerves or anxiousness my smart, social butterfly has ever had about school has been overshadowed with excitement for a new year, and friends, both old and new, to share summer stories with.
I usually hold it together in front of him, but once he is out of the car, my eyes leak a little on the drive back home.
We have the same goodbye each morning as he gets out of the car. Every year, every day, it is the same.
“I love you! Have a great day and I will see you this afternoon! We each blow a kiss and “catch” it.
Yesterday was different.
Today was different.
Yesterday, as I blew the kiss he looked back over his shoulder. Did a double take to the entrance doors before blowing a quick one back.
Today, he hopped out of the car, said “See ya later!” and speed walked into school to meet up with friends.
Is it that time already? Gone are the days of mushy mommy goodbyes. Hello, I love you but don't let my friends see.
It is a battle I think all mommas face. We want our kids to grow. We want to see them become the incredible young men and women the Lord created them to be.
But we want them to do it slower.
It is amazing watching kids grow. It’s fun to teach them new things and watch them light up as they get it. What was once an exciting, new milestone, becomes the norm as they move on to the next one. Then one day, they correctly say a word that they had their own cute mispronunciation of and it breaks your heart a little.
Always growing and always changing, but still always falling in love with the new version of them.
I hope all your school kiddos are off to a good start. What are some of your favorite stages your kiddos have gone through so far?
Daily help
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
- My Dad: Celebrating the life of Dural Glen Sizemore via After the Miracle
- Turin's Impossible Shroud: What's your take on it? via By the Way
His truth, our journey...
What's your favorite milestone, or your favorite stage?
I'd love to read all about it in the comments section below.
Thank you for your visit and your interest and hope to have you back soon!
Momma Writes