Growing Up Before My Very Eyes [MOMLIFE]

Nui Nui is adjusting very well at her new school, making new friends, enjoying many laughs, learning new things, and building strength. And I'm so thankful to see her happily on this new adventure. Really, I am. As for change, she is not the only one in transition.

Today I felt a turning point.

She wanted to go outside and play with her friends when I came to pick her up, so I let her have some more outside social time, as that is one of my main reasoning for putting her in school at this age.

I sat on the sidelines and watched her play. It looked as if she was already so comfortable in her own element, running around with her new 'best friend' and another girl, laughing, and having such a good time.

Every once in a while, she would look at me with a thoughtful yet serious face— no wave, no smile, no nothing— and then proceeded to run around with the girls.

Nui Nui and her friend are tall for their age. They're not the oldest in the school, they're the second oldest, but still they looked like they dominated the playground by height.

The turning point was this: normally, when I would come pick her up, I would become her focal point. But that was not the case today. It was me on the side and her with her friends. For the moment, she had no time or attention space for 'mama'.

Wow, I thought. So this is what middle school is like. Then high school. Then college. Suddenly, the next 15 years passed right before me. So this is what they're talking about. That gut-wrenching feeling of having to let our kids go. But she's not even 4 years old yet! Seriously?? Clearly, I'm in total denial this will ever happen to me. It's a concept too hard for me to grasp, both now and, as much as I should be expecting it, one day.

However old, whenever this happens, though, she will always ALWAYS be my baby. xo

Another Sign Of Getting Old?

I just read this article and had a slap-in-the-face epiphany: Maybe my kid won't think I'm as cool as I thought when she gets older... As my friend posted when sharing this link: Another sign I'm too old. I don't exactly think I'm too old yet but I'm getting there... :>

The article quotes a high schooler saying, 'No one likes to read that much... Pictures seem more interesting and it’s fast. And you can see what people are doing.'

That's the sign I'm referring. When I was a kid, I never liked reading and that's probably something I'd say back then too [even despite being surrounded by other kids who did]. It's only after grad school did I start reading more— via magazines and about pop culture, design, and tech— and now use Facebook as some sort of pared down newsfeed of friends' shares and feeds from my favorite publications. Now, (almost) all I do is want to read, write, and feed my starving mind for more information and stories. Crazy. Just like now, how I've never been a morning person, but have recently been enjoying the productivity of early morning...

Saying I'm old or getting older is not a gripe. There's a lot to be thankful for getting there and being so. As Mom said, as you get older you calm down. You're not so Rarrrr about things anymore. You let it go. As for social media, sure, perhaps Facebook during the t(w)een years might not be the app of choice but as they grow older, I think they'll value the reunion, looking up old mates, participating in the Family Book, and even reading a little more :>

What do YOU think? Will Facebook be in our future?

Share in the Comments below, we'd love to hear! :> xoxo

10 Things For My Daughter To Know Before She Turns 10 :>

I love having a daughter.



It's funny to say that now because when I was pregnant I was so scared of the implications. Flashbacks of middle school girls. Girls in high school. Being a girl in college. Girls and being a girl after college. It was not easy. Not that necessarily being a boy/guy would have been but the idea of having to rehash and re-experience those lovely times all over again... it was kind of a scary thought and, admittedly, still kind of is, even though I do realize my daughter will not necessarily experience what I did. I hope anyway.

But I guess all parents feel that way— wanting nothing but the best yet realizing there is only so much one can do as parent to help their child(ren) along the their adventure through life.

I just stumbled upon this HuffPost Parents post, 10 Things I Want My Daughter To Know Before She Turns 10. Alternatively, it could have been titled, 10 Things I'm Still Working On... :> Either way, I love these parent-sharing, women-empowering -type lists. Reminds me of What Does It Take To Be A Great Dad?

Daughter or son, what do YOU want (or would you want) your child to know by the time s/he is 10 years old?

Share this post and your thoughts in the Comments below, we'd love to hear! :> :> xoxo