May 16, 2011

Denial -- It’s How I Roll . . .

hands

{via Google Images}

There are all sorts of milestones in the lives of my children that make me want to curl up in a ball and cry because time is moving to fast and I can’t stop it which means they won’t be my little people forever.

Ollie’s first words were so cute. He would babble and talk in a language we couldn’t understand but I just know he was saying something important.  But now he’s saying No! and Stop! with great clarity,enthusiasm and emphasis.  And it seems very unbaby like to me.

My RedDog used to snuggle me a lot. There was never a morning without him crawling into my bed before venturing downstairs for breakfast.  Now he sneaks out of his room as quietly as he can in hopes that he’ll be able to catch a few cartoons before I make him eat or clean up his room. Snuggles are history for my boy.

Hannie B. used to be small enough to sit in my bathroom sink while I braided her hair and put bows and barrettes in it. Now she rolls her eyes when I insist that we blow it dry so it doesn’t look like a rat’s nest and screams “Ow!” when I brush it like I’m intentionally trying to inflict pain on her preteen head.

Then there’s Big C.  He’s at that point where bedtimes are later, homework is greater and he’s actually enjoyable to talk to and have around. Unfortunately, he’s also at the point where hanging with the parents isn’t nearly as cool as hanging with friends, including girls.

I. AM. NOT. READY. FOR. THIS.

Is it wrong that I don’t want the boy who used to hold my hand to hold another girl’s hand?

Man, I am in denial.  And I feel very, very good about it.

How old do you think kids should be when they have their first hand holding crush?

9 comments:

Apis Melliflora said...

First hand holding crush: 6th grade.

I think it's O.K. to be in denial. It's hard to say good-bye to a version of your child you love. Thankfully, as their selves evolve, so too does our love for them.

Anderson Zoo Keepers said...

The kind they have or the kind they have but that parents approve of? I think these are two different things. I don't think there is anything wrong with having a crush, but they need to learn early that we mean it when we say we will live by the teachings in the For the Strength of the Youth.
Each stage is a teaching stage. But I gotta say, so far for me nothing has been worse than potty training. :-)

The Queen Vee said...

How old were you?

Aiketa said...

Wow,I remember when I thought it was not cool to hang out my parents. I remember that my father always wanted to come with my mom and me shopping... and one day I told him, I didn't want him to come. How cruel! I feel really bad for him.

christy said...

Yikes! I feel your pain. The crush thing is a toughie. Middle school was when it happened to me. So far, Addy has not admitted to returning any fond feelings for any boys in her class but I know that day is right around the corner and it freaks me out a little.

AllisonK said...

Denial is working for me, but not for very much longer as Whit is moving out of the house in less than a month. I don't like all these changes.

Danielle said...

yikes. i don't even want to think about this stuff.

it was the summer before 10th grade. we were all sleeping out on the parade route in downtown salt lake, for the 24th of july parade. (we didn't sleep.) there was a big group of us and i want to say an adult of some kind... hmmm. anyway, it was fun and TOTALLY innocent.

i have a feeling things won't be that way for my kids when they get older. and that makes me scared and want to join you in denial.

Anonymous said...

25 is a good age for your first crush. I'm just sure of it. I've been telling my kids that they can't date until their 30. So far she believes me. I'm definitely in Camp Denial.

AmberLee said...

you're making me get all weepy.

i have to agree, denial is really the only option. i'm going to give it a try too.

hope you're enjoying your time at the beach!