Its going by too fast! (teenager, babies, toddlers, parents)

[MaryleeII]

Today, I signed that huge packet of papers we do every year for school. Then, I looked at the forms, it said age 15, grade 10. Of course I know my dd is 15, in grade 10. But somehow, just seeing that, took my breath away for a few seconds. Where did the time go?

I remember the first time I filled out such forms, she was 3, in pre-school. My ds was 4. I sign the packet of papers for him tomorrow, it will, of course, say ds 15, as well --they are adopted, 6 months apart.

I just remember the years going by, my beautiful babies growing up, and somehow took it for granted. With sadness I realize I only have a few more years, then, they can sign their own papers.

The first day of kidnergarten was emotional, as well. MY babies, going out into the world. Oh, how do parents stand it, when they graduate HS, college, marry? I think somehow we are lied to, the years from childhood to adulthood are not the same as other years, they are somehow shorter for parents and longer for the kids.

I pulled out my old HS yearbook from 10th grade, geez, did I look like that? Who were those people who signed my yearbook? some are even dead now. It doesn't seem like it was so long ago........

[no kudzu]

I can certainly relate. Bittersweet isn't it?

[Ivorytickler]

It goes very fast. My "babies" are in 10th and 12th grades this year. Dd#1 sat for her senior pictures yesterday and I said to another mother there "Wasn't it yesterday they were sitting for baby pictures?". I feel like once school started, time just flew by. It seems to pick up speed with each passing year.

[malamute]

That's why I think you have to savor the moments. Never let the stresses get in the way of enjoying your 2 and 3 year olds, or your 6 year old, or your 15 year old. Very quickly it's all over. You can never get those moments back.

[Spazkat9696]

I feel your pain. Ds is only 9 going into 4th grade, but I still wonder where'd the time go. I'm also trying to prep myself for the fact he'll be 10 soon. DOUBLE DIGITS!!!

[MaryleeII]

Like my mother said, lets all be glad our children are growing, in a healthy manner. What if your child never grew to adulthood? Its just that its so quick, especially if you only have one child, or two the same age. You won't pass this way again!

[AnotherTouchOfWhimsy]

Yep, my toddlers are 11 and 9 this year. I have no idea where that time went.

It still surprises me that my and DH's younger siblings have children. How can they, when they're just kids themselves? DH's brother and his wife just had their first baby... but it seems like just yesterday that my BIL was a young teenager! (He's actually 27 now.) I sometimes see photos of old classmates on Facebook, and think, "wow, she looks old," then realize that I also look old, with crow's feet and gray hairs... in my mind's eye, I'm still 20.

Don't blink; it just might all pass you by.

[Coldjensens]

What I find helpsis sit down and go year by year and write down all of the eventful memorable stuff that happened each year. I helps me remember how much there really was and then it does not seem like such a flash in the pan. At least in our fmaily an awful lot of big deal stuff happens int he period of a year (I assume that is true in all families). When you put it all together you end up realizing "Wow, that is a lot"

[gimme it]

OP, I remember reading posts of your's when you couldn't wait for your son to grow up and leave. It sounds like he has come around and you enjoy him more if you are feeling sad that he is growing up. That's good, right?

[Pitt Chick]

It DOES go fast... my babies are married and are homeowners!