Erin and I went to the park today with a couple of friends. On previous visits to the park she has shown minimal interest, she would entertain a short go on the swing, and that was it. Today she was happy to swing for ages, I then put on her reins so she could toddle freely, she climbed up and down the climbing frame ramps, went through and under anything she could go through and under (dragging me with her), tried on several occasions to climb up the slide, and on even more occasions lifted her arms to be put at the top of the slide and squeeled with glee as she went hurtling down.
It occurred to me amidst all the fun, how slow and fast each phase goes. Let me explain. When she wasn’t walking it seemed like we were at the cruising phase for ages, now that all of a sudden she is fully mobile and asserting her independence the cruising phase seemed so short and is now a dim and distant memory, never to be experienced again.
And there it is, the bit that strikes a big dart of sadness into a parent’s heart - never to be experienced again. Once its gone, it’s gone forever. You can’t bring the baby cuddles back, the first smile, the happy to sit still bit, the weaning, the learning to walk… when the phase seems long and neverending remember that the phase will be over sooner than you think and you won’t be looking back remembering the difficult bits, you’ll only remember the good bits and wish that you can experience each happy moment just one more time, and you can’t.
It’s always just a phase, enjoy it while you can, because tomorrow it’s gone forever.
6 Responses to “It’s Just a Phase - Enjoy it!”
yes - its a kind of ache… a hunger pang maybe that time is flying yet also seems to stand still when you’re sleepless…I remember having a kins of panic attack of sorts as I folded up size 3-6mos clothes for my son realizing he barely had a chance to wear most of the outfits. When I am really tired and nursing for what seems to be all night I try to look at my baby ( agirl this time) and cherish the fact that tomorrow whe will not be as tiny as she is today ot the next day…blah blah blah:)
Well said Little Mummy! I remember when my eldest was born I fell into the trap of always getting excited about the next phase and the next stage of achievement, almost wishing it along I guess. When my second came along, I just wanted him to stay like that forever and I am now more relaxed with both of them. One thing I will say is that for us, whatever phase our children are at, it is always the “best ever”! And for parents with under 5s…watch out…take it slowly, because the time between birth and their first day at school goes so quickly, if you don’t stop and stare, it will be gone in a flash!
What a sweet baby! Fantastic about Erin walking! Congratulations.
Now I’m sad. *sniff* When I look at Baby Bug, I think, “I’ll never experience a first step or first word or . . . again.”
Thank you for sharing this with the Carnival of Family Life. Your post will be included in the July 30th edition at An Island Life.
[...] of LittleMummy.com is trying to make the most of every moment of her child’s development in It’s Just a Phase - Enjoy It! Words to live [...]
[...] of LittleMummy.com is trying to make the most of every moment of her child’s development in It’s Just a Phase - Enjoy It! Words to live [...]