My godzilla baby is currently feeding the dogs her breakfast and trying to get them to eat her Barney Doll/book. Ok, so only one of those I’m trying to dissuade.
I’ve considered myself lucky that my daughter came a month early. Not only get her a month longer than I should have, it places her after the cut off date for school, so I get her at home a whole year longer. Ask me in 3 years if I still feel the same way.
She’ll be two next month and I can’t believe it. I swear! she was born yesterday! How did she get so big? I accuse parents of baby babies that they have figured out a way to keep them that small and I just missed the class. I’m so afraid that tomorrow I’ll wake up and she’ll be 18.
Thank you for reminding me how quickly it goes, for certain it does.
(BTW, if you missed Hell’s Kitchen, they had an episode where the Moms came in and every contestant completely lost it at the sight of their mothers. It blows me away that I could be that to someone.)
You get more than 18 years… You get a lifetime. But you can only hold in your palms for 18. When he flys, he isn’t gone forever. Now and again, he’s going to need your hand in his life. He’s going to bring you grandhildren one day, too.
This is why I admonish my 3yr old at least once a week to, “Cut it out! Quit growing up so fast!”
She giggles and tells me she can’t, that she has to grow to be “big like mommy.”
I’ve still got a slightly babyish 20month old. I’ve warned my husband that when I’m out of baby we’re going to have to have another one.
I will just keep having babies and will never run out! Look out Michelle Duggar!
(realistically I believe three is our limit - after that I’ll just have to cry when they won’t let me blow raspberries on their tummies any more)
Sweetie, I’m 39 and still not a proper grown-up. Heck, Mom’s 66 and still not a proper grown-up…
Thank you, ivylass, for doing your best not to be an octopus mom.
ivylass, that was beautiful. I hate you a little right now, it will pass.
Hold him gently. He’ll fly, but he’ll be back. Welcome him with all your heart, when he does. Make sure there’s never a doubt in his mind that you love him, and you couldn’t be prouder.
The quote in the penultimate paragraph made me cry. I think it’s because I recall growing up how I thought my parents were doing a terrible job raising me, didn’t do things the way I wished they had, and generally didn’t know crap about life because I, in my infinite wisdom as a teenager, knew it all. I vowed that when I had kids, I’d do things so much differently.
After my kids were born I remembered that vow and after a couple years, found myself doing things exactly the same way my parents did. Then it hit me- they did a good job. It took me almost 40 years to realize it, but even though they didn’t really know what they were doing (as if any parent does; they were in their early 20’s for pete’s sake and making it up as they went along), I think I turned out just fine. And I look to my memories of how I was raised when I need guidance on raising my own kids, and generally do the same things they did.
Congratulations. It sounds like your son has grown into a good kid. He’ll no doubt follow your lead when he has a family of his own. And watching that happen will fill you with more pride and love than you ever thought possible.
I think the part that’s getting to me is that although I will always be his mother, the “mothering” part is pretty much done. There was a line Claire Huxtable told Denise in *The Cosby Show * as Denise was leaving for college, “I’m going to miss you, and not because I love you. Because I like you.” I’m hoping I can say that to Ivyboy without completely losing it. I plan on crying, but I don’t want to do it in front of him…that won’t be fair to him.
He says he’s really looking forward to college, but also “scared crapless.” I think that’s a healthy state.
And in only three more years Ivygirl will be out of the house. :eek:
And here I came into the thread thinking your son was dead, when really you’re being cut back to thrice-weekly phone calls and 16 emails a day He’s not even leaving the state. Heck, he’s within commuting distance.
Don’t worry about crying. My mother blubbered like a whale when I moved out west in my early 20s – and my dad was all “what are you crying for, he’s still in Canada. At his age I moved to another country!”
Now excuse me while I go wash my two year old’s sheets and make sure her toys haven’t been recalled
I’m not sure what you’re complaining about. This is just a couple of years of respite until he comes home for his twenties, then moves out, gets a wife and kids, then moves back again the next time the economy collapses.
Ivylass, you’ve got to do a better job of titling your threads - I was so sure that the subject of your post had died. I’m glad to hear that’s not the case.
“No one will ever love you like I love you and you can always come home.”
She is, of course, right. No matter how old I get, or where I live, no one loves me like Mama and I’m always welcome. I’m sure your son feels the same.
LOL…ditto here. I was tearing up and sniffling in the first paragraph, and then it occurred to me to scroll to the end to see what had actually happened. Whew. Otherwise, great post, Ivylass!
I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to scare you guys. I thought 18 years would be a clue…it’s legal age here in the States, so I thought most people would get it.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. From having met you in person, I am sure your son will be fine. More than fine actually, he will do great! You know, your son reminds me of me a little bit, except that I’ve picked up some bad habits that I’m sure he never will ^^;;; I’m going back to Boston in two weeks, but I would like to hang out with him someday (and you and Ivylad again of course!)
My best friend’s son just moved out to go to college, and he’s only 16! She’s devastated, and stunned that her shy, awkward little boy is having too much fun shooting pool and having pizza with his new friends to call home for more than two minutes at a time.
My mother tells me that you raise kids to go away, to be adults, to move out and be independent. It’s hard to think about that when I’m still changing diapers. I’m sure that day will be here far too soon, though. (Sob… just not my baby… he’s still cutting teeth…) I’m sure I’ll cry when I send my oldest off to kindergarten next week.
Very nicely written, ivylass. Thanks for reminding us to cherish all of those days and weeks and months and years.
He’s not even leaving the state. Heck, he’s within commuting distance.