Forever Young
Our young ones want to grow up so badly. From the time they’re little, they want to be big!
Showing more independence and autonomy is healthy and necessary.
At the same time, as they become more capable, month by month, year by year, remember they are still young.
Even the ones screaming that they don’t need your help, still, sometimes, want it.
The ones refusing to let you walk them all the way to the classroom door, accusing you of reminding them too many times about what they ‘already know’ - yes, at times, even these kiddos want to fall back into being your baby.
Tune in, to allow them these moments.
Though it’s great - that now they can get ready for school themselves, empty the dishwasher, clean the litter box, make their beds and pack their own lunches - sometimes they may want to be picked up.
Every now and then, they may want to just crawl onto your lap and be held. There are still times they’ll love holding hands (as long as nobody is watching) or have you wash their hair.
Remember this and ask, in a neutral way, without expecting any particular answer, if they want something they used to love.
To be carried to bed. To be rocked like a baby. To have you make them a warm steamer when they’re feeling blue. To have you tickle them all over. Or to help them get undressed when they're tired from their long day and hard soccer practice.
Every now and then everyone wants to be babied. And our children are no exception.
Let them know this is natural and give them that extra tenderness they're working so hard against most days - in trying to show how big and strong they are.
