They will forever be your little ones, no matter their age. It’s an undeniable truth of parenting. As your children grow, they may insist on being treated like adults—especially during their teenage years and beyond. They will proudly announce their age and their desire for independence, but in your mind, you can’t help but hear their baby babble or a toddler’s silly words. To you, they’ll always be that fragile, wide-eyed little person gazing up at you.
This phenomenon is a form of parental denial that many of us experience. We know they’re growing up, yet we can’t shake the image of them as children. I remember my teenage years, yearning for more freedom. During my college days, I felt even more grown up. I was far from being a child, yet my parents still viewed me as one. I was 18—a legal adult—but my mom still treated me like a kid.
“Why do you still see me that way?” I would often ask her, exasperated. Her response was always the same: “I know you’re not a child, but to me, you’ll always be my little girl. One day, you’ll understand.”
Recently, I texted my son, now away at college. It was a simple exchange, but I couldn’t help but feel a mix of anxiety and pride. He mentioned casually that he had gone off campus with friends. My heart raced as I imagined my little boy navigating the world on his own. In my mind, I was still picturing a young child, not an adult.
I immediately bombarded him with questions: “How did you get there? Did you go alone? What about the dark?” He reassured me, “Mom, it’s fine! We took an Uber.” But in that moment, I could only see him as my little boy, stepping into an adult world.
This realization prompted me to reflect on my own relationship with my mother. I finally understood why she would say things like, “Be careful and park close” when I’d mention a late-night trip to the store. To her, I was still that little girl, twirling through life, unaware of the dangers lurking around.
I now recognize that when I express feelings of illness or sadness, she still sees a small, vulnerable daughter who needs comfort. It’s a perspective I never appreciated until now.
No matter how old my sons become—whether they’re 18, 28, or older—they will always be my little boys. They may have families of their own, but in my mind, they remain the innocent children I once held in my arms. That’s simply the way motherhood works.
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Summary:
No matter how old they grow, children will always be perceived as little ones in the eyes of their parents. This article reflects on the enduring bond between mothers and their children, emphasizing the struggle to see them as adults while cherishing their childhood memories.