Considering All Things

Recently I was in conversation with my 2 oldest daughters—ages 8 & 10—and we started talking about the TV show Doc Mc Stuffins.  It was one that I’d let the watch when they were younger and all 3 of us enjoyed the show.  They were commenting about how they’re older now and have basically outgrown it.  They agreed on that and acknowledged that it is a good show for children that supports feeling of empowerment and general positivity.

I, as their mother, had a miniature internal conflict taking place as our conversation lead me to the realization that my children are not babies anymore.  Now, I’ve had these moments before, but in that moment, it was their assertion that a cartoon no longer suited their developmental position in childhood that almost made me cry. 

 

I love them. I miss them as babies.  That era, those times in the past decade when all three of my girls were literal babies and toddlers were some of the best of my life.

But in my moment of almost forced temporary sadness I had to admit something to myself and acknowledge a reality: The sadness I wanted to conjure up was misplaced.  I mothered to the fullest extent of my personal idea of motherhood during those times.  I was there. I was aware.  I was present. I was engaged. I missed nothing where their development was concerned. I was tuned in.  I was locked in. I was always learning.  And most importantly, I kept going.  We had fun. We had so much fun.

 

When talking to my girls on the day mentioned previously, I recognized that, although those times will be missed—and they most certainly are—we absolutely did that.  I really can’t be sad about anything.