When I look back over all these years of living with and raising my kids (and letting them do some raising up of me too), I can remember some of the big milestones—first days of school and first words—but it seems to be every day details that stand out most in my mind.
For example, toilet training is one of those huge issues for parents with tots—you fuss and worry and stress over whether you’re doing it right or whether you might be causing permanent psychological damage to your little one. I know I fussed and cajoled and worried over toilet training for three kids, one after the other—but one day, the diapers just stopped. I remember it as being rather anti-climactic. My kids really had more control over the process than I thought and once they made up their minds, they moved on and I remember it dawning on me that it had been a few days since I’d changed a diaper.
It all just sort of happens—you realize that they have actually learned pretty decent Spanish in all those Spanish classes they’ve been taking, or you notice your child knows how to change a flat tire on her bicycle. One day they are “pretend writing” their names with all sorts of circles and lines and then it seems suddenly they are writing stories and songs and newspapers about the family goings on. It happens—each ordinary day stretches out and becomes tiny progressive steps on the path to “growing up.”
Yesterday, I heard my son on the phone talking to his grandmother—thanking her for a recent birthday card and “financial gift”—no prompting, no nagging from his mother, just him on the phone having a very polite and warm conversation. It only took fifteen years, but it sure seemed like an amazing milestone to me.
Also: Waiting for the Day When I Won’t Worry So Much
Physical Accomplishments–When Did You Learn to Do That?