Reprinted Articles

Stage 1: Me, have kids? Really?

“Shall we start a family, darling?” The biological clock ticks, the maternal instinct weighs heavy. Seeing babies everywhere prompts a sigh, “isn’t she so cute?”. All helped of course by the tiresome chore called “making babies”.

Phase 2: Heavy with Child

You missed your period and are trying to decipher your home preganancy test. Are you pregnant? Wow! A sweet baby face could be on its way. You ponder this as you run to the bathroom yet again.

Skip ahead a few months. The kicks, elbows, backaches, and swollen ankles become common place. You gasp as you spot varicose veins. Who could have done this to your body?

Here she comes. Your baby pushes and pushes making you have the mouth of a sailor. During labor you decide to never make babies ever again. But wait, she has ten fingers, ten toes, and a sweet smile.

Phase 3: Creating a “first” for every occasion.

Sleepless nights, sore nipples, dieting to lose all those extra pounds. Meanwhile, the little darling can do no wrong. Look! She smiles! And she has discovered her toes! I wonder if they really taste so good?

First time: sitting, crawling, standing, walking. First word, First solid food. First potty. First full blown, lie-on-the-floor-and-kick-the-feet tantrum. Each a major achievement to celebrate.

The television takes place of fun, stories and games.

Your baby heads off to school. You are thrilled, but will miss her at the same time.

Phase 4 Playgrounds, parties and alphabets.

She is no longer your little baby. She goes to school. She wears a uniform that makes her look so independent.

Toilet jokes - everything and anything to do with pooping and peepee is absolutely hilarious!

The first best friend wonderfully appears while the first brush with rejection sadly appears. She has bumps and scrapes from play. She doesn’t understand why things are not always fair.

You want them to be independent, but it is hard. Why can’t you have the ability to protect them from the world?

Phase 5: Time for academics

Play times fall by the wayside when they have to learn the alphabet and addition. It may be easier for your child or it may feel like the teacher is speaking Chinese. If your child succeeds easily you have a fairly smooth ride ahead of you. If your child has trouble then you will have many potholes on the road called “school”.

Even so, there are always the little events to remember - All she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth (along with Barbie and a puppy dog!)

The temptation to baby her strong, but you remember she needs to do her chores.

Phase 6 - Pre-teens and Puberty

They hit puberty and their body will be changing every day. The girls hang with the girls and the boys hang with the boys. Girls are too silly for boys. Girls think boys are not mature.

Clothes. You are just SO out of date mom! No one wears that anymore! And why should it matter if my pants are hanging down by my knees? Mom, these clothes are too small!

Language. Well cool.

First bra, first period. Lipstick and make-up. Squeaky voice that breaks. Antiperspirant.

Stage 7: The opposite sex suddenly looks attractive.

Suddenly boys and girls are not so alien after all. Does (s)he fancy me?

Your daughter gives you her advice and opinions whether you ask for them or not.

Parents are out of style while friends are the top of their social list. Your daughter wants to stay out till the wee hours of the morning with friends. Why not? Everyone else is staying out that late.

Special moments arise when you can have a great discussion with your young adult child. Just make sure you listen and don’t sound like a teacher.

Your daughter has become an adult with goals, aspirations, and endless energy.

Phase 8: (So I’m not a mathematician.)

Your daughter has gone to college. You worry about her everyday. Did she have a good dinner? Are her clothes clean?

“I’ll love you, forever. I’ll like you, for always. As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be” - Robert Munsch

Time flies. Take a moment to enjoy the specialness of each and every day with your children.

Last 5 posts by Dr. Noel Swanson

• Family Fun Time - Nature Walk - June 7th, 2008
• Mom Needs a Spa Getaway - June 7th, 2008
• A Guide for Being the "Ultimate" Parent - June 5th, 2008
• Living With Special Needs Children - June 2nd, 2008
• The Origins of Fighting with your Teenager - May 25th, 2008

Tags: Children