Why I Miss Having Little Ones (and you will too)

As I was enjoying my leisurely stroll through Sprouts, I found myself staring at this momma and her little girl. It seemed I kept running into them at every aisle. I couldn’t help but overhear their delightful conversation. I wanted to hear her little voice as she described the gummies she wanted. I wanted to ask her questions about the cereal characters she was admiring. I wanted to compliment her sparkly red shoes. Suddenly, I found myself very jealous.

A few weeks later, I did it again. I started watching a mom push her two little ones around the store. This time I started talking to them. Making silly faces. Encouraging them as they “drove” their buggy. Quickly, I told the mom that I had ten kids, so she wouldn’t be worried that I might be trying to take one of hers. What was happening to me? Seriously, I was becoming obsessed with small children.

It continued. While retrieving my membership card at the gym, I noticed a pair of toddler tennis shoes sitting on the counter. I picked them up, imagining the little boy that had left them behind. He was probably so engaged in play that he ran out the door, without even a thought of those silly shoes. His mom probably became frantic when she realized that he had left them, but was too exhausted to make the haul back to retrieve them. I big smile came over my face as I thought back to the time my kids wore such tiny shoes.

A few days later, it hit me. I realized what was happening. My youngest was nine. I was done with the infant stage, the terrible twos and the preschool years. I no longer had little ones in my home and I MISSED it. You heard me. I missed it. I know, I know… you are reading this and thinking; GIRL if I could just have one day without my little ones. I was there, too. However, now I miss it (and you will too)!

A few days later, it hit me. I realized what was happening. I was done with the infant stage, the terrible twos and the preschool years. I no longer had little ones in my home and I MISSED it. You heard me. I missed it. I know, I know… you are reading this and thinking; GIRL if I could just have one day without my little ones. I was there, too. However, now I miss it (and you will too)!

I missed singing them lullabies.
I missed the nighttime snuggles.
I missed the aha moments.
I missed them wearing mermaid dresses with their cowgirl boots.
I missed all of the “firsts”!
I missed their voice.
I missed the way they mispronounce their words like marote and thinger.
I missed their imaginative stories.
I missed their struggle towards independence.
I missed the wonder in everything.

In the blink of an eye, they go from begging you to read Goodnight Moon for the hundredth time to borrowing your car, so they can go watch the moon with their girlfriend. I know it is hard to fathom. I know your days are long and you can grow weary. Take a deep breath, enjoy it…savor it. Every exhausting moment will be missed.

The REAL Kathy Lee is an honest podcast for REAL moms. Kathy H. Lee Eggers shares the most important thing she has learned – grace is a beautiful thing. The Real Kathy Lee is about getting REAL – talk about real life… real motherhood. Topics will include helicopter parenting, how to really connect with your children, how to find your joy in motherhood, why every mom needs an “all by herself” vacation, how to refrain from jumping in the car and just driving away, and why saying YES is the most powerful response to a young child’s requests. Grab a cup of coffee (or other preferred beverage) and get ready to laugh, maybe cry, and hopefully be incredibly encouraged on this beautiful journey of motherhood.