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This post may come off a tad more sanguine than I intend, but recently I have felt a little sad about something that many will think is silly.
On one hand, I am proud of my son's new found independence. Just the other day, he came home from school, got himself some milk from the fridge, took out all of his rescue heroes, started a video, and self-entertained himself for over three hours.
On the other hand, he has decided that he no longer wants to wear shirts with cute bears on it, has changed my title from "mommy" to "mom", and started to request privacy in the bathroom on occasion. Already his friends are starting to become important influences in his life. In his eyes the fact that _____ no longer plays with me is all consuming. I have to respect his emotions regarding his budding social structures.
This independence is everything we've worked for, right?
I simply can't believe how big he has become so quickly. I know that he is not leaving for college quite yet, but I just can't believe how rapidly my role is diminishing. The silver lining to all of this is that DH has assumed a more important role in DS's eyes. Father and son have a fabulous time going to hockey games, watching star trek, and giggling at bodily noises. 
Meanwhile, I find myself having to work to find new ways to connect with my son since I am no longer the center of his universe. Although he loves me dearly, girls are "yucky" and I am just "mom".
I watch him now as he seeks out other boys without any introduction or prompting from mom. At the park, I am no longer a participant if there are other children, but an observer and/or enforcer of gleefully whooping and hollering savages. At one point, I remember fearing that his slight physical stature would make things difficult for him socially. Now I see that his gregarious personality is a far greater asset than I originally factored into the social equation.
Although this is an age old sentiment, I guess this is my first sobering pang of separation anxiety. To those of you who have gone before me, my heart goes out to you. It never gets any easier, does it?
How do you send them out into the cold, hard world?
Sure, I have a darling baby girl with whom I can experience babyhood again. Even though children are not interchangeable, being able to refocus on her is my saving grace. On the other hand, there eventually must be a "last" one and she is probably it. (or not--hell I can't decide. )
Most days I feel overwhelmingly blessed, but occasionally, like today, I grieve my mortality and the alarming speed in which my life is going.
I'm sure that I'll be on here tomorrow griping about his new-found sass mouth that accompanies his growth toward independence as he grapples with boundaries. But until then, anyone want to share a round of anti-depressant cocktails or at least a cold beer?
Anyone else willing to commiserate and/or celebrate their kids' growth towards independence and separation? 
Kelly
On one hand, I am proud of my son's new found independence. Just the other day, he came home from school, got himself some milk from the fridge, took out all of his rescue heroes, started a video, and self-entertained himself for over three hours.
On the other hand, he has decided that he no longer wants to wear shirts with cute bears on it, has changed my title from "mommy" to "mom", and started to request privacy in the bathroom on occasion. Already his friends are starting to become important influences in his life. In his eyes the fact that _____ no longer plays with me is all consuming. I have to respect his emotions regarding his budding social structures. This independence is everything we've worked for, right?
I simply can't believe how big he has become so quickly. I know that he is not leaving for college quite yet, but I just can't believe how rapidly my role is diminishing. The silver lining to all of this is that DH has assumed a more important role in DS's eyes. Father and son have a fabulous time going to hockey games, watching star trek, and giggling at bodily noises. Meanwhile, I find myself having to work to find new ways to connect with my son since I am no longer the center of his universe. Although he loves me dearly, girls are "yucky" and I am just "mom". I watch him now as he seeks out other boys without any introduction or prompting from mom. At the park, I am no longer a participant if there are other children, but an observer and/or enforcer of gleefully whooping and hollering savages. At one point, I remember fearing that his slight physical stature would make things difficult for him socially. Now I see that his gregarious personality is a far greater asset than I originally factored into the social equation.
Although this is an age old sentiment, I guess this is my first sobering pang of separation anxiety. To those of you who have gone before me, my heart goes out to you. It never gets any easier, does it?
How do you send them out into the cold, hard world? Sure, I have a darling baby girl with whom I can experience babyhood again. Even though children are not interchangeable, being able to refocus on her is my saving grace. On the other hand, there eventually must be a "last" one and she is probably it. (or not--hell I can't decide.
) Most days I feel overwhelmingly blessed, but occasionally, like today, I grieve my mortality and the alarming speed in which my life is going.
I'm sure that I'll be on here tomorrow griping about his new-found sass mouth that accompanies his growth toward independence as he grapples with boundaries. But until then, anyone want to share a round of anti-depressant cocktails or at least a cold beer?
Anyone else willing to commiserate and/or celebrate their kids' growth towards independence and separation? Kelly
. But I can certainly relate to the above statement. Sometimes I just can't wrap my mind around the idea that I'm 33, married, and a parent! It feels unreal sometimes, I feel like my life is at warp speed. I know he's only one, but I am constantly tearing up when he does something new that signals that he is rapidly becoming an independent, sentient being. Where did my tiny baby go??
) and no one will ever fill that role.....it is just that it is constantly evolving. 
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