My youngest son turns ten this week. He made the transition from Toddler to Little Boy to Boy a while ago, but now that he is “hitting double digits”, as he puts it, it’s time for me to admit he’s no longer a little boy anymore.
As the youngest, and also being somewhat small for his age, John has been littler than his older brother emotionally as well as physically. He is cuddly kid, needing a little more nurturing and understanding; being a bit more cautious with independence, where his brother has always craved independence and more responsibility. As a result, I have been a bit more protective in some ways, and not as eager to trust him with bigger responsibilities. In part, his brother already fills this role in the family as my extra set of hands very well. In part, I think I have just underestimated John and what he’s been ready for. His older brother, James, seems to take on each new role with earnest and breaks us in to what it’s like to have a teenager. John isn’t pushed nearly as much to be independent on many things- we baby the baby, I am sorry to admit.
And it’s funny, because John is one of those kids that’s often like having a small adult around. He has a wicked sense of humor, loves zingers and cracking jokes, and he is charming to the core. While I worry he will learn to rely on these talents rather than push himself to work a little harder or more in depth, I also admire his quick wit and his ability to always make me laugh.
In some ways, the “baby” turning 10 and entering fifth grade in the fall makes me feel old. In other ways, it makes me re-examine how protective I am of him, and how reluctant I am to give up having young kids in the house. This means if all things go according to plan, I will be sending my last child off to college in another eight years. The first half of their childhoods have gone so quickly, I want to just rewind them and get to do it all again.
So I want to say, Happy Birthday, John. I am so proud of you and to be your mom. I will try to let you grow up, but just remember, you will always be my baby, too. Thanks for teaching me so much about being a parent, for making me laugh, and always remember how much we love you.
Photo graciously provided by the author, through a Creative Commons license, some rights reserved
2 responses so far ↓
Cheryl in Sacramento // Jun 27, 2008 at 2:00 pm
To someone who isn’t a parent yet you inspire the heart to want a child who will grow up.
Whitney // Jun 27, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Thanks Cheryl. I do love being a parent- I have two fantastic kids who bring such joy to our lives- the problem is always balancing independence for them and wanting to freeze every moment for eternity. While I remember feeling like they would never walk or sleep through the night when they were babies, sure enough, they learned to do both, and now I am getting to the stage of chasing them for attention rather than the other way around. I know this means I am doing my job, but still- ah for the moments of their child hood and getting to relive mine a little at the same time.
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