My sister and I can make pretty much any situation awkward. Don't believe me? Then I'll wager a bet that you don't know us in real life. My family is not exactly known for being forthcoming or talking about important topics. We tend to be sarcastic and pick on each other. Its just how we do.
Anyway, we joked on twitter that we were going to ask our mom super awkward questions while I was home and last night we did just that. My sister had found an article in Real Simple and the questions the author listed seemed to have the awkward potential we were looking for, but might actually spark some conversation as well (or at least give us a little insight on our Mama).
So we got to peppering Ma with questions and the conversation went pretty much as we expected. There weren't any big, hidden, family secrets revealed, and honestly, it was interesting to hear my mom's perspective on our childhoods, but overall, I wasn't surprised by any of her answers.
It wasn't until I read an article posted by Kelly at Kelly's Korner that one of Ma's answers made me think.
When we asked her the first question, "What's the one thing you would have done differently as a Mom?" her answer was that she wishes she had taken the time when we were babies to enjoy us as babies more.
This really hit home for me. You know, because I have a baby. And while I love her as a baby, I find myself looking forward to the day she is older. Not any specific age, per se, but old enough to talk, follow directions, go to school, entertain herself for 8 seconds, etc.
Hearing my mom wish that she had savored the time we were babies and then reading the article that Kelly posted today really made me think and appreciate the fact that our babies are only babies for such a short period of time. Sure, I'll probably have another kid in the future, but AJ will only be a baby for another few months (some may even argue that she is already out of the baby stage). I can always experience a subsequent child's baby-hood, but I want to try and enjoy what is left of AJ's baby stage as well. I don't want to look back on my life (and AJ's) and wish I had savored the seasons of life more.
So I know that people of all ages and experiences read my blog, I'd be interested to know what you wish you'd done differently with your kids, whether they're still babies or grown and out of the house.
We didn’t know how good we had it.
1 year ago
This is so true. Of course we are getting ready to have another baby, but I get sad when I realize we will never get Cookie's babyhood back. I look at pictures from even last year when she was a toddler but still looked like a baby and miss that. Of course I love this age too, but its different.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! It helps to remind me that I need to cherish each moment once my baby arrives.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get to read this yesterday...cuz well, you know. But I have to say - I can't imagine anyone being offended by this post. Seriously! (And losing followers always makes me wonder "ummm was it something I said?"
ReplyDeleteAnywho.... I know I'm not a Mom for real yet. But...I'm commenting anyway. I can totally understand where you're coming from with enjoying her when she's older. The "babyhood" stage can be so hard. Alister is 2 and a half now... I felt like the stage from maybe 10-13 months was the hardest part of raising him so far. They can't really talk, are on the verge of walking, and are into literally everything from the time they wake up until they go to sleep. He constantly wanted to climb the stairs (we can't have baby gates on the steps with how our house is designed) and I was chasing him around the house from the minute he got up until he went to bed. It was SO hard.
I am really trying to enjoy the stage he's at now. I loved his 1 year old stage....but ever since he's turned 2 he just blows my mind on a daily basis. The things he can do/say now make him even more fun to be around. This is the stage I'm really trying to enjoy because he is hysterical and yet still sort of a baby because he totally relies on us and wants to be around us all the time.
I love this, I often catch myself saying "I can't wait til..." instead of just enjoying the moment. I definitely have to make an effort to enjoy the moment.
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