I know, I know, it’s such a cliche, but time does go by so quickly, seemingly in the blink of an eye sometimes.
My girl went back to school yesterday, she’s now in year 1. My son turned 3 last week. I feel like I’ve somehow stayed the same and yet my babies are growing up so quickly.
I look back over a full summer’s worth of moments and memories. We had seven weeks off together, and whilst we fit a lot in, why do I already want another seven weeks, another shot to do it all again? I want that time over and over again.
During that break, how many times did I say, ‘yes, in a minute’, ‘mummy’s just doing this that or the other and then she’ll come play’, or somehow just lose a few hours?
I was watching The Three Day Nanny the other day and she made the point that there’s a 5 year window to play and be a big kid yourself with your children, when your kids are around 3-8 years old. Once they get to 8ish, it’s going to be all about their friends and mum and dad will no longer be the people that they want to play with. I suspect that she’s right, to a certain degree.
I think spotting how much the children are growing up, seeing how quickly the summer went and the autumnal feelings that are starting to roll through are all combining to make me stop and think. My mood is one of organising, planning, preparing and altering things.
I’m trying to see where I can make changes, cut some corners, reduce time spent on certain things so that I can spend more time on the good stuff. I’ve a feeling it’s going to be quite the challenge, but if it buys me more quality time with my family, well then it’s going to be worth it.
I know that I can’t slow down time. I know that I can’t make more time. I know that the reality is that everything that I need to do, still needs to be done, but there are little things that I’ll be doing differently here and there. I’ll keep reminding myself that this time in my life is short and scarily fleeting.
I just don’t want to be that person that looks back when my kids are all grown up having missed it because I was ‘too busy’. Their childhood gone in the blink of an eye. How sad would that be?
All so very true!
Precious times – do ‘cut those corners’ and think “does it really matter” – just enjoy!
My girls are both off at uni now, but those days at home just feel like yesterday.
E. 🙂
Thank you. I just know that it’s all going to fly by, must grab it and enjoy it 🙂
I know the feeling. They seem to grow in front of your eyes. Not sure I agree with the window of 5 years. Seems to suggest a finite time,which it isn’t. Play and fun goes on. Moments are treasured. Family and friends are not “either-or”. It’s more of a case of the friends joining in! (Can you tell that I was the one yelling “Rubbish” at the TV?)
Ah, that does reassure me, I want more time than that! Thanks
Loved this post Jocelyn, you are so right. I needed to hear this. Moms need to hear this from time to time!
Alina
Thanks very much, so pleased it’s resonated with you.
I felt myself holding back tears on Monday when my twins started Year 3. I love watching them grow and their characters develop but just not too fast.
It’s too fast, I know. As you say, you enjoy every stage, just nice to be able to slow it down a little.
My daughter is now 9 and yes, she prefers generally to play with her friends now than with us. But there are still lots of moments of playing with her, it’s just that the playing is taking a different shape that’s all. And when we spend time together it’s still special, just different-we chat a lot now. I really enjoy that. I know it won’t be long before the next stage begins and she will start to spread her wings. I hope though that she will always enjoy spending some time with us as we all grow together as a family. And I miss my son now he’s at school-in fact I miss them both and will probably always find the return to school after a holiday hard. They are such good company. They do grow up so fast. I do think that the fun remains, it simply takes a different shape that’s all xx
I think you’re right, it’s ever-changing, isn’t it? As they change and grow, our parenting adjusts every time. All too fast xx