5 Things Kids Do Too Long

I cannot be the only one...who has suffered through one day too many of their child's whining and began to wonder, how long is this whining phase going to last? Some of the things my six year old does seem to never change, perpetuating for what feels like forever.  With this in mind, I decided to list the 5 changes Sonny Boy has been reluctant to make, and, in the name optimism, the changes that happened so fast, I missed them while they were happening.  I am sure you will be able to relate, so here we go:

5 Things Kids Do Too Long

1. Throwing tantrums. 

Do I really need to say anything about the horror of the extended shelf life of tantrums? Sure, the tantrum changes from laying on the floor, kicking their feet, and screaming, to outright refusal to comply, snarky attitude or sulking, but no matter how the tantrum manifest itself, it's really all the same.

2. Picky eating.

The pure look of disgust on Sonny Boy's face when I bring anything to the table, with the exception of Dino-nuggets or grilled cheese sandwiches, has been happening since the day the highchair hit the donation center. I keep waiting for his taste to mature a little, I am not talking reduction wine sauces, but at least a cheeseburger would be change in the right direction.

3. Wiping of the nose on the back of the hand or sleeve.

Really?

What is this disgusting habit? This is not a habit learned by watching the parents (at least I hope not). I keep tissue at the ready at all times, but there is something about that back of the hand or sleeve that is just to tempting to resist for our youngsters.

4. Babbling to them self.

Half the time I am not sure if Sonny Boy is even talking to me, and if he is talking to me, is he speaking a different language? The constant noise making that comes out of my child's mouth is exhausting, and the babbling has not changed since the blessed day of my child's birth.

5. Needing Mama to do everything for them.

Changing diapers and feeding your little bundle if joy is completely understandable, but there comes a point when your kindergartner is still calling to you from the bathroom in need of bottom wiping, that something has got to give.

In honor of being the type of Mama that likes to say the juice box is half full, I now offer you the following: 

5 Changes Our Kids Make Too Soon

1. No longer calling you Mama or Mommy.

The sad day comes, ready or not, that your sweet baby will start referring to you as Mom in place of the endearing Mommy or Mama you've grown so fond of hearing.  Sometimes the "Mom" will be in the form of a whine, others it will be a frustrated grump, but either way it's not the Mama you've loved hearing.

 Laughter, I just stubbed my toe.

2. Stop thinking your funny.

Those days when crossing your eyes and puffing up your cheeks is all it took to elicit unsurpassed laughter, quickly come to an end sadly. It becomes harder to get that kiddo to squirt milk through their nose, and, if by some chance you do get a hearty laugh out of Junior, well, it will most likely be at your expense (you trip, spill something, or say a bad word under your breath after stubbing your toe will always crack a kid up).

3. Hugging and kissing you goodbye are no more.

The days when your darling clung to your leg and kept you coming back for one more smooch goodbye, those days that you would wonder how long am I going to have pry these sweaty hands off my pant leg, come to end faster than you will like. Dropping off at kindergarten was a stressful event for the first month, the goodbyes were overflowing and endless, now I am lucky if Sonny Boy even remembers to wave to me as he follows his classmates into their classroom.

4. Taking naps go the way of the dodo.

The one luxury of motherhood is nap time. That hour, half an hour, heck even just ten minutes, whatever the length, that peaceful time when your head hits the cool pillowcase, you close your hot and heavy eyelids, and fall into a peaceful midday nap is glorious. This beautiful rest time is a short lived indulgence. Nap time stops becoming guaranteed daily and eventually peters out to a maybe, if your lucky, sort of thing. Naps stop happening too soon!

5. Stop needing Mama for everything.

One day you offer to pour the sweet child a juice and they tell you, "I can do it." They can do it? This is just the beginning, the next thing you know they can magically wash their own hair and pick out their own clothes (and not just stripped shorts in the middle of winter or a hockey jersey in the dog days of summer), their sweet dimpled faces stop needing you for everything and that is a bitter sweet day for Mama.