Any parent will tell you that watching your kids grow up is one of the most bittersweet emotions that life can hand to you. We are exhausted by countless challenging phases and sometimes wish them away, but as the saying goes, “The days are long but the years are short.”
For me, one day I woke up and I had a big kid… a 10-year-old.
I look at him now and love him so hard it hurts, but I find myself mourning the little kid he was just yesterday. I miss that boy.
I miss the funny way he used to say the word "yogurt" and the pudgy rolls at his wrist. I miss the cuddles and the kisses. I miss his lisp and those stories he loved to tell that seemed to never end at the time. But now they’ve ended, and I can’t quite handle it.
It seems like I blinked and he was suddenly this whole person — an entire well-spoken, interesting, sarcastic, capable human — whom, once I got over the fact that he’s no longer little, I have to admit, is pretty damn amazing.
I’m making a conscious effort these days to appreciate all of the perks that come with him getting older. If you need a reminder yourself, read on.
Here's a list of things I’m loving about my big kid:
He's interesting
True, I miss the rambling stream-of-consciousness stories from the preschool days, but this fourth grader of mine has quite the arsenal of knowledge tucked in his growing brain. He spews fascinating facts and makes connections and challenges the way I think and I don’t hate it.
He's funny
This is a personal area of pride for me, because I grew up in a family where humor was highly valued. He’s always brought us joy. He’s been doing funny things since he was an infant. But now he’s funny on purpose. My kid has a quick wit and he cracks me up.
He's helpful
Turns out 10-year-olds are pretty darn capable. True, they may need some coaxing, but I can ask my son to run out to the car and grab my purse or help me unload the groceries. He can get himself and his siblings lunch and snacks, do pretty much any cleaning, and act as my assistant.
He's his own person
I no longer get to pick out what he wears (save for family photos). While I loved dressing my little man when he was younger, he’s got his own style now. He knows what he likes and what he doesn’t like. He knows what he enjoys and what he’s passionate about, and I love watching him be who he is and own it.
He challenges me
Never in my life did I think I would be able to go for an actual run or hike with my kid that pushed me to the edge, but here we are. Never did I expect to play card games of strategy and have my kid give me a run for my money, yet he can beat my bootie in almost any game. He pushes me to be my best and do my best.
My list of awesome big kid perks is constantly growing
It seems like every single day I’m finding new things I enjoy about my son being a little older. True, I still get a little nostalgic when I look back at old pictures or his baby shoes, but focusing on the awesome person he is becoming helps me remember the past but not live in it.
After all, the stage he is in right now will also pass, and I don’t want to miss a second.
