I noticed that my son (soon to be three) was sucking his thumb. This isn't necessarily a strange occurrence for a three year old, but it was one for our son. He had never sucked his thumb since birth.
I am always very up front with him and I do not "baby" him. So, in casual conversation I asked him if he was worried about the new baby coming. His response, "Yeah". He's my first baby and my only son (at the moment) so of course my heart broke in two.
I thought about my response for about two seconds and then told him, "Honey, you know you don't have to worry about the new baby, right?" He looked at me with those big eyes and said, "Okay, Mommy." I gave him a big hug and told him that he would always be my baby. In fact, he will always be my first baby.
The thing about this parenting gig is.... there is NO MANUAL. Even the greatest parents can tell you how they think it will be and let's just be freaking honest, IT MAY NEVER GO THAT WAY FOR YOU A SINGLE DAY IN YOUR LIFE!!!
I've come to accept that all lives, parents, babies, homes, families, etc. are completely different. Instead of comparing ourselves and getting caught up in the song and dance of looking and acting perfect; I would rather have REAL moments.
I would rather have hugs, kisses, boo-boos, tears, arguments, laughs, and moments of awe than anything else in this world. One day, no matter how young you try to keep them, the baby grows up. The baby moves out, becomes an adult, and lives a life of their own that does not involve you anymore.
My advice? Love them now. Laugh with them now. Hold them just a little while longer, now. These are the times you will be yearning for when everyone has grown up and moved away. Embrace them, kiss them, and most importantly let them be the baby for as long as they need to.
-Liv
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