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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

They Grow Up Too Fast?

I feel like kind of a jerk about this one. I feel like the only mother in the world that must feel this way. I feel like people will think it means I love my children less than others love their own. I swear I love my kids and I love every day with them and I do treat it like a gift (when I can remember to).

Even still, I just can't get behind the main sentiment of motherhood, one of the sayings that is supposed to bond all mothers to their babies and to each other, something everyone should basically be able to agree on, shaking their heads and brushing a tear from their eyes.

"They grow up too fast, don't they?"



"Why do they grow up so fast?"

Really? Am I alone here? I have never said that, not once. Not ever. Call me hard-boiled, but every day gets me farther from this toddler nightmare. Every day my children increase their abilities to reason and communicate just a tiny bit. Every day, they get bigger.

And I, for one, am thankful.

I know this is wrong. I know because when someone says the growing up fast thing to me at the super market or at the bank and I smile and reply, "Yup! They sure are, thank goodness!" I get weird looks.





I don't know. Maybe I'll regret this when they're 5 or 15 or 21, but from where I'm standing, every step toward cognizant behavior makes for a good day. These kids can't grow up fast enough. I love my three year olds, I do. That doesn't mean I want them to stay three. No sir. And when they were preemie infants, I didn't want them to stay babies, either. I prayed for today just like today I pray for two years from now.

I want my kids to grow. The faster the better. Go, babies, go!


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7 comments:

  1. Nope, totally a sentiment I can get behind. The older and more independent she (my daughter) is, the happier we'll all be. :)

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  2. I have to admit I have said that before, but only during certain ages. Like I don't mind getting 0-7 months out of the way quickly, but I love 7-18 months and miss Jack being that age so much. I just realized he will be 5 on his next birthday and it does have me a little sad because to me 5 is so OLD. Okay not really old, but it is big kid territory, and it really did seem like it went so quickly. Time just flies faster when you count it in kid years. (then again I don't have two the same age, so I am sure that has something to do with it)

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  3. Yep, your crazy. Just kidding. lol.

    Even though I say that all the time, I actually can soooo relate! My boys are 22months & 7 months and as much as I hate to see them grow, I can't wait for it! I'm looking forward to not having to say ever two seconds, "get that out of your mouth. Don't hit your brother. Leave your diaper on!" Oh the joys of motherhood!

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  4. I am totally with you on this one. I do not get the sentiment at all. My main thrill in life is seeing my babies grow and change. It's not happening fast enough for me. I only hope that I am around long enough to watch them grow and love me the way I now love my mother. She is more important to me now than she ever was. I'm fricking almost 40. My main fear in life is that I won't be here to be there for them the way my mom is here for me. Look at me, I'm all maudlin, man! Grow, babies, grow!

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  5. I agree wholeheartedly! I actually have never said that because I don't agree with it. Children are supposed to grow up, and they grow exactly as quickly as they're supposed to. And I enjoy them acquire skills and learn new things. Babies are cute and soft and small but I much prefer children who can communicate and play and speak and read! It's the most wonderful experience to watch them grow up. I wish people would stop saying "they grow up too fast" because they really don't. It's a meaningless statement.

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