It’s not just about the age they reach or how they’ve surpassed your height; there are unmistakable signs that your kids are no longer the little ones you once knew.
- You feel quite in touch with the latest apps and social media trends, despite your followers often being too young to drive.
- Your grocery cart is devoid of giant boxes of Goldfish crackers. While you’ll miss snacking on them, you won’t miss the crumbs that scatter everywhere.
- Your own minor injuries are covered with plain Band-Aids now, rather than the fun designs that used to soothe your children.
- You find yourself reminiscing about the days of kid’s meals. Dining out now translates to four adult-priced meals, yet you beam with pride when your child orders something adventurous like mahimahi.
- You’ve become the one with the smallest feet in the household.
- Your children, on the other hand, are now eyeing shoes that cost more than your own.
- White socks have become your worst enemy. You’ve even thought about color-coding everyone’s socks with a Sharpie.
- Holding the door open for your kids now means standing behind it; they’ve outgrown the ability to walk under your arm. This realization hit you harder than expected.
- You no longer stock fruit snacks or Dum Dums for emergencies or bribery. Though, the occasional fives in your purse still comes in handy.
- Your bag is filled with $5 bills, ready to be doled out for movie outings and other activities. You’ve even considered adding a custom ATM logo for fun.
- A persistent odor seems to linger in your life—your car, your house—nothing seems to eradicate it.
- You’ve had entire conversations with your kids over text, even while sitting in the same room.
- Their math homework? A foreign language to you now, and you’re surprisingly okay with that.
- Playdates have transformed into casual hangouts arranged through text, freeing you from organizing their social calendar.
- You can almost always enjoy a moment of privacy in the bathroom—what a treat!
- It’s been over a year since you’ve stepped on a Lego, and you consider that a victory.
- Your dog has returned to a pre-kid lifestyle, enjoying playdates and walks. You’ve even thought about getting the pup a cute outfit, but worry it might be too much.
- The yogurt in your fridge is no longer adorned with cartoon characters.
- You’ve experienced annoyance over how late your kids sleep in.
- The attic is cluttered with items your kids haven’t used in years, leaving you uncertain about what to do with it all.
- You no longer panic if a curse word slips out when you stub your toe.
- You’ve probably said, “When the kids leave…” at least once.
- You’ve engaged in conversations so stimulating that you forgot you were speaking with your child, and you can envision future discussions with them as adults.
- You feel a whirlwind of emotions—happiness, sadness, joy, and heartbreak—over the fact that your kids are growing up. You’re learning to accept that’s perfectly okay.
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In summary, watching your children grow brings a mix of emotions and experiences. From enjoying newfound independence to navigating changes in your household dynamics, it’s a journey worth cherishing.