I remember pushing my Teen Boy around in a buggy, when he was just a snuggly baby and I was a demented, sleep deprived, new mum.
I also remember looking at the other mums walking with their 'older' children of maybe 4 or 5 years of age and thinking I was so lucky that my boy was still a baby.
See, in my demented-new-mum state I wanted to hold on to the baby stage and not let go. Besides, who needs sleep anyway?
Of course, regardless of our wishes, our children grow up. And while 13 years is quite a long time this growth seems to be more of the over night variety than of the gradual one.
The teenage years are filled with hormone induced Teen Moments of many kind.
One never knows what to expect next and while the deepening of voices and hairy arm-pits etc; are but the blink of an eye away, other miracles happen too.
Of course, we can also help those miracles to materialise.
One never knows where the act of teaching your child the important life lesson - life-saving even: his, not mine- of making his/her demented mum a cup of tea might lead.
I mean he could one day make you a cup of tea and then a couple of days later, when the mid-term break is over and he is heading back to school, wake up with an incredible independent streak. He may even - brace yourself now - hop out of the bed like there was a Gaming Festival on or something, get dressed without being reminded a zillion times and rush downstairs insisting on making his own breakfast. And yours too if you want it.
And, this could last for a few days.
Until the tiredness of the early morning risings hits, that is, and then it's business as usual .... Cue the return of the fishwife-screaming-demented mum.
But it gives us a glimpse of the young adult that is waiting to break through, shaped and formed by those around them.
And it also gives us a glimpse of the life-changes ahead, as the demented-mum becomes the discarded-mum. Well, maybe more the stored-safely-away-until-she's-needed-mum. Like for laundry, taxi-duties, feeding times and snuggles too, for as long they're accepted.
I may have wanted to hold on to my snuggly baby but I'm now bravely looking forward to letting my Teen Boy grow his wings.
I will not be sad, no tears shall be shed.
So long as he learns his next lesson well and tea and toast is served to me in bed on occasion, all will be well ;-)
xx
when DD was tiny I used to look at other mums talking with their toddlers and I couldn't wait for her to start talking and to find out what her personality would be like. Now I know - strong willed, bossy, determined, single-minded, stubborn... I wouldn't mind a few days with my snugly newborn.
ReplyDeleteIt goes so quickly doesn't it? You are right though, each stage is (mostly) great, we shouldn't just focus on the baby years! I bet he will remember your tea and toast! :)
ReplyDelete@Midlife Singlemum: Hah...I know that feeling too! For all the years the speech was delayed I feel guilty now when I tell him to 'stop talking PLEASE!!!'
ReplyDelete@BavarianSojourn: Yeah, we should make the best of each stage as each one has something new and endearing (mostly!)to offer.
Thanks for your comments.
Turns out the independent streak was short lived. He's now home sick and being waited on hand & foot by yours truly!
Nice to be needed ;-)
xx Jazzy
What a lovely post. It's so difficult to describe to someone else how incredibly fast they grow up, but its true nonetheless. You hit the nail on the head.
ReplyDelete@Shelly: Thank you! Only the tip of the iceberg methinks!!
ReplyDeletexx Jazzy
I don't think you will ever become 'discarded' mum - he may spread his wings, but he will always want to return to the nest where he was nurtured xx
ReplyDeleteInteresting times! It is all part of growing up and being British.... or in your case, Irish! Jokes aside, watching our kids go through puberty is fascinating, although not for the faint hearted! My first born is out at a party, having his first *drink*. Wish they didn't have to grow up.... I admit that I could really do that snuggly baby thing again. x
ReplyDelete@Blue Sky: Aw, such a lovely comment. Thank you :-)
ReplyDelete@Bright Side of Life: It most certainly is not and as for the *drink* stage? I am SO not ready. Nor am I ready for the 'girls' stage!! Not so sure I could do the snuggly baby stage again now...too old!
Thanks for your comments :-)
xx Jazzy
Wow. This is a taster of things to come. It's hard to imagine what Little A will be like as a teenager, and that one day all she'll want me to do is wash her knickers and ask for a tenner! I better make the most of all the lovely cuddles now - they won't last. I wasn't a huge fan of the baby stage - glad she is three now! X.
ReplyDelete@Older Mum: Better start saving, it'll be more than a tenner by then!! They say boys keep the cuddles for longer, but girls may be more likely to bring their demented mums brekkie in bed!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment :-)
xx Jazzy
There is such sweetness to this post. Thank you for making me stop and remember the precious times :)
ReplyDelete@Tanya Savko: Thank you :-) Thanks also for your comment on my Silent Sunday post which seems to have been gobbled up by the interweb gremlins!
ReplyDeletexx Jazzy