My baby isn't a baby anymore...

my beautiful boys, the youngest is sitting at his  - my beautiful boys, the youngest is sitting at his last birthday 7/1/06
United States
July 1, 2007 5:52am CST
My "baby" is turning 8 today. I can't believe the time goes by so quickly. I remember being pregnant with his older brother. I am feeling a little sad on his happy day. I am wondering how much longer I will be able to call him Mon Chi Chi, or Monkey Boy, before he starts to be embarassed by it. How many more years of hugs & kisses, and out of the blue "Mommy, I love you" am I afforded. My eldest is 10 and is already embarassed to give me a kiss when I drop him at school. I honestly write this with my entire heart and soul, sitting here at work, by myself, thinking and actually crying softly to myself. I feel like a horrible mother. I should be happy and joyous on his birthday, instead I am sad and my heart is filled with sorrow. I see my babies growing up and thinking of just how soon their childhood innocence will be lost forever. When the cold hard reality of life will set in. I wish I could shield them,and keep them young and carefree forever. So my Mylot friends, did you feel this way with your children? Or do you dread these times as well? Or am I just a blubbering sap...lol? Thanks for letting bare just a piece of my soul and heart here, if just for a brief moment in time.
11 people like this
36 responses
@easy888 (10405)
• Australia
1 Jul 07
Hello,misheleen,i do not have any children but i think time has flied and i am a 24 year old woman now.I still remember the days when i was a child. Anyway,it is a normal thing for a child to grow up and you should be happy because they are independent.After ten years or so,they will have their partners and get married later,they still love you much even they do not want your kiss or feel embarassed to hug you.
• United States
1 Jul 07
Yes, you can be proud and happy that they become men. But at the same time you can still mourn the loss of their childhood.
@easy888 (10405)
• Australia
1 Jul 07
That is life,but you can still keep them as memories.:)May be i will understand your feeling when i am a mother.
2 people like this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
1 Jul 07
That's right easy. Becoming a mother is like an awakening. You will begin to see things differently. Its no piece of chicken work but fulfilling.
2 people like this
@KissThis (3003)
• United States
1 Jul 07
Awe, Happy Birthday to Monkey Boy!!! I am actually a little different because year I cry because at one time we never thought we would still have my daughter. When she was born the doctors didn't give her a year to live. She will be turning nine in October. For me its a celebration of how much the medical field doesn't know. I think every parent knows what you are going through in some way. Each year you get to see your children grow up and become more independent, needing you less and less. It makes you proud in one way yet sad in another.
3 people like this
• United States
1 Jul 07
exactly, you truly get it. Sad and proud at the same time.. a mix not too easy to swallow sometimes. I am sooo happy you still have your daughter. You have been truly blessed, I have been blessed. We must always cherish our "babies"
1 person likes this
@weemam (13372)
1 Jul 07
My boys are now aged 44,41 and 27 . The 2 older ones have teenagers of their own , but my sons still tell me they love me and give me hugs . So don't worry my friend the hugs wont stop , just you keep giving them and you will get them back , My grandchildren too still give us hugs and kisses and they range from 10 to almost 18 , There is nothing nicer in this world than a hug or a kiss or both and the words " i love you nanny xx
2 people like this
• United States
1 Jul 07
you made me smile thinking of it. I am happy they are growing, it just seems like yesterday they were wrapped in my arms, sleeping peacefully as I watched them.
1 person likes this
@disvachic (10117)
• United States
1 Jul 07
Happy birthday to your son and i wish him a many more!I know exactly how you feel.When my son turned 11 this year i was like boy he is really growing up.I was thinking wow!My daughter will be 13 in October i got to thinking oh my God she will be a teenager. It sure does go by fast.Then youngest will be 10 in october also.I got to thinking wow again everybody will be in their double-digit ages.LOL i definitely know how you feel mishleen but they still will be my babies 4ever.Take care.
2 people like this
@disvachic (10117)
• United States
1 Jul 07
Thank you so very much!!
2 people like this
• United States
1 Jul 07
thanks, I bet you truly do know what I mean.. by the way Happy Birthday to you on Wednesday !!
2 people like this
• United States
1 Jul 07
you're welcome !!!! Thank you as well
1 person likes this
@sreevasu (2717)
• India
1 Jul 07
First of all Many Many happy returns of the day to little monster! Secondly, I was really wondered with your call Mon Chi Chi because the word Mon (as it is pronounced in my language) means Son here. You are the proud mother of two wonderful angels and they will be your angel always. When you get old to your eighties then also he will be your Mon chi chi in his mid 50s as a dad or even grand dad of another Mon Chi Chies. Your angels will always be at a call away from you... Why you worry dear friend... Your sons should grow and grow up to the sky.. Our kids growing bigger than us, reaching new horizons which we tried but failed, is what makes us happy. Happy wishes to John & Matt and their proud dad Yovi and mom Michele.. May God be with this happiest family always...
2 people like this
@sreevasu (2717)
• India
1 Jul 07
No need to be sad.. To a mom her kids will always be kids.. They too have to learn so many things form life... Be cheerful and happy dear Michelene
2 people like this
• United States
1 Jul 07
Thnak you so much for youe wishes Vasu. I am just saddened a little to think my baby will soon be too big for all the mommy love I am so used to now. I know all you are saying to be true, I just still mourn for their innocence soon to be lost.
2 people like this
• United States
1 Jul 07
again thanks for the words of wisdom dear Vasu..
1 person likes this
@Rickrocks8 (1751)
• United States
2 Jul 07
aWWW miSH!!! Cheer up sweetie. Thay cant stay little for ever! My Babt ir 9 now eeegads! When he was 4 he sat on my lap and told me I'll never grow up Momma. Well guess what.....he is growing up. They all do. Maybe you can have another baby? I'd love to but I cant the baby hotel is gone.
2 people like this
• United States
2 Jul 07
I can't have anymore either. My little one always said he wanted to be a baby again, so I could rock him and hold him forever. It's times like those I will always cherish.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Jul 07
Don't even blink or he'll be sixteen and being presented with his first car. Sadness turns to complete and utter anxiety! I still call him Tay Tay. At 12 his face would turn red and he would say "Don't call me that anymore. I am not a baby." I told him he was not A baby, but he would always be MY baby. And besides, it was my duty as a parent to embarrass him occasionally. LOL Now when I call him that, he just grins, shakes his head, and kisses the top of my head, loving that he is taller than me now! :)
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Jul 07
Just love them and enjoy them. You will be so proud watching them grow into men. As stressful as it is sometimes (you know between wanting to beat them and then being able to have serious conversations and even be best friends) sometimes I look at this incredible human being and my heart just swells. I say a thank you to God for every day he lets me get this right and I am humbled.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Jul 07
lol, my boys are going to be really tall as well. They are already almost as tall as me at 10 & 8 !!!
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Jul 07
thank you so much for your inspiration. I do feel marveled sometimes when I look at them and think I had a hand in helping to create them.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
31 Aug 07
Sweetie don't worry I still go through it every year and mine are 23 and 20 now I just wonder where the Years have gone I can still remember being pregnant with them and putting them into this world and now one of them is planning to have their own it is not easy and it is even harder to let go and to realize they do not need you anymore like they used to
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Aug 07
I know.. it is hard. I see them becoming more like men every day. Thanks for responding my fairy friend...lol.
@14missy (3183)
• Australia
6 Jul 07
I know how you feel. I am often torn by wanting the kids to grow up and not wanting to miss a minute of that growing up. I think daughters are a bit different than boys as my 12yo daughter still says I love you mummy in front of her friends. We are great mates though. My 9yo boy sometimes surprises me by snuggling up on the lounge to watch a movie but he isn't very showy with his affections at the best of times. My 5yo boy still blows me a kiss from the car when I drop him off at school each day. Just treasure each moment. They go too fast don't they? Good to see you again by the way. I have been pretty busy lately and not able to get on here. Talk soon...
1 person likes this
@14missy (3183)
• Australia
29 Aug 07
I an't believe it has been 2 months since I replied to this discussion! Sorry ... It has been busy at work and I'm doing four full days a week now so the 'spare' time is spent cleaning and doing chores. Glad to see there are still a few familiar faces in here when I drop in. By the way my baby is 6 tomorrow. He tells me he's a big boy now....
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Jul 07
I know what you mean. It's good to see that at least you get "some" movie time..lol. How has your job been? Good I hope.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Aug 07
no worries.. I am hardly here anymore myself.. too many other things going on. Glad to hear all is good with you. :)
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
2 Jul 07
My son, his girlfriend and their two boys - My son, his girlfriend and their two boys.
My "baby" turned 22 in January and his youngest turned one just a few weeks ago so I know what you are feeling. BTW, you have two very handsome young men there. Happy Birthday wishes to your Mon Chi Chi. I remember crying when my son left the house to go live on his own so no you are not a blubbering sap.lol. And I can recall many other times of tears. I often sit and wonder where the time went. The love never goes away. It may change in the way it presents itself but it is always still there. My son will still tell me he loves me even in front of his friends and he will hug me too. Sometimes there is a time period when they are embarrased with that, but it comes back. It does get better but you will never stop worrying. Hang in there. You will be okay.
1 person likes this
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
2 Jul 07
Yes, I am very proud. And if you look closely in those curls, you will see his horns.lol.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jul 07
lol. I was marveling at those curls. Both my boys got daddy's straight hair.
• United States
2 Jul 07
thank you sooo much. It is nice to know that it will come back, even after the "rebellious" stage. Those two little cuties look like quite the handful..lol. I bet you are a very proud Grandma !!
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
1 Jul 07
Bunny's handkerchief for monkey! - Bunny's handkerchief is specially made for monkey. It will be bunny's birthday present for Mon Chi Chi too.
Awww monkey. Dry your tears and check my comment for your birthday monkey boy. Make sure Mon Chi Chi read it. "sniff" "Sigh", in a few days, my youngest will be turning 7. Does that make us both a blubbering sap, LOL. For each birthdays passed, I can actually feel myself getting older and slowly drooping. Have you seen a bunny who will walk instead of hopping? The only thing that makes me sad is the fact that I can't keep pace with the energy of my girls. I can understand how you're feeling. I cried when my eldest got her first tooth. I cried when my youngest gave me her most beautiful toothless smile. I cried when both of them went to school for the first time. I don't think I will ever stop crying. Here, take my virtual handkerchief. We both need to have it with us all the time.
• United States
1 Jul 07
aww thank you for the bunny handkerchief. I guess we are both blubbering saps of emotional messes..lol. It is so sad sometimes when I think of my babies not being babies anymore..
1 person likes this
@abroji (3247)
• India
1 Jul 07
So you feel that pain of loosing your baby to his boy hood, that pleasing pain. You see and admire your baby growing into a smart healthy boy, steady on himself. If you have sobbed enough, cherish, rejoice. Your baby is no more a baby, but an energetic little boy confidently marching to his adolescence. This is an auspicious occasion. I congratulate you. Very, very happy birthday to your younger one.
@abroji (3247)
• India
2 Jul 07
You are welcome misheleen.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Jul 07
Thank you very much. I am very very proud.
1 person likes this
@Mirita (2668)
• United States
2 Jul 07
Don't worry because every mom has felt like this at some point of their life. We want our kids to remain babies forever. My older son is 20 and my younger son is 15 ,so you can imagined how I feel.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jul 07
wow, I can imagine. Please tell me it gets easier ?? Please...lol
• United States
3 Jul 07
thank you. I hope your boy does well in college. :)
@Mirita (2668)
• United States
3 Jul 07
My older son is going to college ,but he still lives with me and my baby is in High School. They are both wonderful boys and this makes it easy. Happy Birthday to your baby ,and if you do a good job with them, they'll be wonderful too.
1 person likes this
@youless (112108)
• Guangzhou, China
1 Jul 07
Happy birthday to your little angel:) I agree with you, the time passes so fast. Now my son will go to the kindergarten tomorrow. Somewhat I feel nervous to it:) It's a big change and it's another step in his life.
2 people like this
• United States
1 Jul 07
thank you, Kindergarten is a HUGE step. My eldest is starting middle school in the fall... wow..
1 person likes this
@shuz697 (1043)
• United States
7 Jul 07
just reading your discussion brought a little tear to my eye.. I know exactly what you mean.. Its so hard to watch them grow up and it happens soooooo fast it scary.. my oldest son turns 7 this year and its a very strange feeling.. I'm already wishing I could have my time over with him and I can see him changing right in front of me and there's nothing I can do about it.. I'm really glad to see I'm not the only person who feels like this about their kids growing up and gets a little down on their birthdays... I thought I was the only one..
1 person likes this
• United States
8 Jul 07
no, you are not alone. It is so bittersweet. You love to see them grow and learn, but at the same time you want to keep them safe in your arms forever !!
• Philippines
8 Jul 07
yes i feel the same way, my baby is only 9 months old, but i am afraid of him growing so fast,everyday is different for him. he crawls and talk words i cannot understand, he dance and jump when i am singing dance songs. he is so playful and smart,innocent and fragile. i wish to shield him from any harm and stay that way. of course that's impossible.he is my only son.it is hard to let go.
• United States
8 Jul 07
If that is him in your avatar, he is absolutely precious !! Enjoy all the moments you can with him now. I know how hard it is to start letting go, when all you want to do is keep them safe always. :)
@lols189 (4742)
23 Aug 07
happy belated birthday wishes to your baby. hope he had a great day
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Aug 07
he did thank you very much... :)
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
8 Aug 07
yup, i think it's inevitable that mums feel kinda sad that their babies are growing up. think it might be sadder when they leave the nest for college or after they are married. at least now you still see them everyday. think of how our parents had to let go and see us much less often!
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Aug 07
I don't really relate it to my parents as we had and still have a very bad realtionship. Maybe that is why I cling so hard to my boys.
@hotday (152)
• China
10 Jul 07
your icon is funny. So I guess you are kindliness mother.
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Jul 07
thank you, yes I try to be the best mother I can be !!
@lantisb3 (114)
• Philippines
23 Aug 07
NOOO!!!! i don't even want to think of the day when my baby will become a kid! I'm having so much fun now that i'd rather enjoy it now than think of the day when he goes to school and spend most of his time in his own life. Oh well it can't be avoided and the only thing that I can do right now is treasure every second that i spend with my baby boy so when the time comes I won't regret that I didn't spend too much time with him.
• United States
23 Aug 07
yes indeed, treasure each and every moment you have. They are all priceless.