My baby is no longer a baby!

United States
April 17, 2007 9:44am CST
He's turning 4 today. A part of me grieves for that precious little baby that I held so long ago. These days he is getting so independant from me! Wanting to wash his own hair, pour his own milk and all that jazz. I know it is good to encourage these things, but it tears me apart a little more inside at every new thing that he wants to do on his own. Now if only he would get independant about picking up his toys... THAT I would cry tears of joy over! :D
5 people like this
12 responses
@1grnthmb (2055)
• United States
17 Apr 07
Tell the little dude happy birthday. Ah! The milestones of life. You go from that little baby who is dependent on you 100% to an independent child in such a short time. Next step is their first day at school. Then they graduate kindergarten and move to first grade. The milestone is graduating from sixth grade and starting middle school. Then middle school to high school which caused my sife to start having seperation anxieties.because that ment only four more years until they were out of high school. That is at the stage of parenting we are at know. And oh my gosh they are teenager with all the attitude and indenpendence that comes with that age. We wish they would just go back at being little, cute and sweet. But then you yake pride in all their accomplishments:)
• United States
18 Apr 07
I'm actually looking forward to school. With the new baby coming, it is going to work out good to get him started in preschool this year. He needs socialized more. We go to the park and McDonalds as much as possible, but its different and I notice that he plays mostly by himself. I think in a school setting he will be required to do stuff with a group and learn that it is ok to play with other kids. So that part will be fine. And a part of me cannot wait until he is in college and I can have some peace. lol. However, you never know what the next 14 years will bring me.
• United States
21 Apr 07
that is a good one. lol.
@noriko (1254)
18 Apr 07
happy birthday to your kid. this is the age when moms do get excited with the kids. ive seen it with my sister. this is the age where they are ready to go to school. its nice to have a helping hand around the house. it maybe small but it will bring a lot of help.
• United States
19 Apr 07
Yeah, I'm looking forward to school. Especially with the baby coming. 4 year olds can be quite a handful, and to add another on top of that... oh my, recipie for insanity!
@sarah22 (3979)
• United States
17 Apr 07
Wow, a wonderful Happy birthday to the little man. yes, how time does go by. mine will be 4 on the 1st of May. well, i think that if you removed them if he did not pick them up, he would see you mean business. i have to with mine and ow, they dont leave them around. sometimes they do but then they realise it could be gone again, rush to pick it up. i also only get out somethings to avoid having a big mess
• United States
18 Apr 07
Thanks. I have actually done the toy removal, but I'm just not cut out for that right now. I can't get to the floor to pick anything up, so that will have to wait. I just have to watch where I step right now and hope that my huge tummy doesn't hide a car or something.
@idrob2006 (317)
• Indonesia
18 Apr 07
that is so sweet. I dont have a child yet, but I can imagine if I was in your position. In one side it is a happy moment but in another side it is also a wake up call that soon you will face that your baby will be a teenager and so on
• United States
19 Apr 07
Children are truely miracles of God. They originated as a curse, according to the Bible, but I dunno. Sometimes they are, but most of the time they are the best blessings we could have. I do know this though, nothing on this earth will make you feel so much love, even as they are giving you the most painful headaches you could ever endure.
@clod0327 (817)
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
It’s really true that time really moves so fast. I now have a 1.5-year-old daughter and a lot of my friends who are now parents have been saying to me to enjoy every moment of my baby’s childhood because time move really fast.
• United States
19 Apr 07
Yeah, they are young enough to not be too much trouble at that point. lol. Seriously enjoy it, cause the rough stuff is ahead!
• India
18 Apr 07
first of all a very very happy birthday to your kid.You are the best mother i have ever seen.It is a great idea to ask your son to do his own work and helping him to be on his own.its really great...hats off mother.....
• United States
19 Apr 07
lol, best mother is stretching things a bit. And there are many times I feel like the worst mother on the planet. I guess time will tell. If he grows up to be honorable and good, then I have been a good mom....
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
18 Apr 07
yes they don't take long to become little men, soon he will be off to school, and get his first girlfriend, and before you know it he will be wanting a car and then get married and then you will have lovely little grandchildren to look after and the circle continues....
@mansha (6298)
• India
18 Apr 07
You can be sure that one thing he is not going to learn so easily. I know I have a seven year old and now a ten month old too. Yopu love them when they cuddle but then they become too iondependent. I still rmemeber, it was my son's first day at the kindergaten and I thought I will stay i the school reception to wait if he adjusts to it. He had accompanied m for admission once before too. I sa all parents going inside the main gate till the small gate where kids were being handed over to the teachers. I also stopped my vehicle and prepared to get down myself to accompany him till small gate. He was outr and already walking towards it. I sid wiat I am coming to, so this chap turns around says" No need top mom, I can go bye" I was taken aback and shocked, I wanted to wioat but he again turns back and sways "Go" and waves and walked inside. I look at other kids crying for their mothers and clinging to their dresses. I wish mine was same too.He was two and a half year old and so independent. I was proud of him but sad for myself. But I think thats what we are supposed to do raise them and make them stand on their own feet. I cam eback that day with a mixed feeling and can never forget his confidence ever.
@Gwapako_28 (2140)
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
we have the same feeling.My son will be turning 4 this coming May 12.I cant imagine that he is growing and not a baby anymore.I cant stop thinking and missing him as baby.But its normal and part of life.They cant be baby forever.Lol!
@royal52gens (5488)
• United States
18 Apr 07
Happy Birthday to your son. We just celebrated birthday week in our house. My oldest daughter is now 27. My son is now 25. My other daughter is now 16. My husband is now another year older. Four birthdays in one week. And then there are the grandchildren who are also getting older. I always hoped my children would be more independant when they were little. Now they travel around the world and I find myself wishing they would depend on me just a little bit. No matter how old they get, they still don't pick up their toys and their toys just get bigger. lol
@Dana5881 (609)
• United States
18 Apr 07
Awww, my son will turn 4 this summer and is trying to be more and more independent too. They grow up so fast but he is still a mama's boy and I am going to enjoy it while it lasts. We are trying to conceive our 2nd so hopefully there will be another baby in the house before too long.
@semak76 (187)
• United States
20 Apr 07
It is sad to realize their growing up, but the trade off is amazing. Mine will be five now, and he holds adult conversations, is curious about everything, very excited about starting "real" school..he goes to headstart now. he's turning into a little man, and he's still just as precious as always.