I don’t think I noticed it as much with child number one. Maybe because I knew we’d have a second baby. But last night, while I was sleeping in my bed for the first time without my Little Man I could feel my heart breaking. Parenting a toddler is bittersweet isn’t it? Two days ago we took down the Princess Castle Bed that my daughter almost never slept in. We put up a newly redone wood bunk bed in it’s place. This is the summer of transition.
We’ve co-slept with both of our kids. It hasn’t been easy but there is a feeling of peace when your kids are in your room with you. I can easily sit up and see my Princess on her bed nearby (on the floor) and my Little Man was snuggled right up against my head making sleep often difficult. Yes. It sounds crazy. I know. But, when they were both gone last night – I couldn’t sleep.
From 8pm until 2am my Little Man was in his new bed, in his own room, just like a big boy. When I went to bed at 11:00 pm I squatted on the floor in his room and watched him. I rocked back on the balls of my heels and felt uncertain. I’m not going to lie. I almost crawled in bed with him. It was his first night in a new bed without me. I didn’t though. I went back to my bed and felt sad. He is growing up. I didn’t cry. Thank goodness. I had the sense to be a tiny bit thankful that one day soon I will have my own bed and bedroom back. But, I was still a bit heartbroken. If only I could keep him small forever.
It goes by so fast doesn’t it? One day you blink and they’re already two years old. Blink again and he’ll be 10… then 18… I don’t even want to think about it.
Enjoy each stage with your kids, mommas!
And yes, at 2am when he walked into my bedroom on his own (no tears) I let him climb in bed and have milkies. He is still my baby after all…
[Tweet “Parenting a toddler is heartbreaking. It’s hard giving them roots and wings.”]
Yes parenting a toddler is heartbreaking I went through that stage three time but what is just as heart breaking is parenting a teen and being told that they no longer need you as they go off to college. I feel for you.
Awww. I don’t even want to go through that, Melissa! 🙁
hugs mama, I have 5 kids and I am with you. I have co-slept with 4 of them. My baby is 13 months and I still co-sleep I cannot let go. Thankfully she still gets up and nurses during the night or else my husband would have made me move her into her room. I wish there was a pause button and they would be little forever!
My husband was so happy to have our bed to ourselves. He wasn’t sad one bit the last two nights. Just me…
I cry on every single one of my son’s birthday. He’s going to be 9 this year! Watching them grow up is wonderful, but also kind of sad because you’ll never have those moments back.
It goes by so fast doesn’t it, Nikki? My oldest is 6 going on 16 and it is crazy. She is 4 feet tall now already and such a “big girl”. I want a pause button!
Motherhood is hard because we’re working ourselves out of a job. Sometimes I watch my five year old sleep and cannot believe he is five!
I watch my six year old sleep – I still check on her every night (even when she is on our floor). I push her hair back out of her face and try to comprehend how she got this big already!
Such Nice Quotes & Yes It Is Heartbreaking I’m Going Through Right Now & BOTH My Girls STILL Sleep With Me!1 LOL!
We only have a queen size bed and 1 was hogging it. My husband and I were hanging off the sides! I can’t imagine having two in bed with me! 🙂
I understand! My “baby” girl just turned 3 last weekend…it seems like I just had her. And my oldest will turn 9 in a few months – it really flies!
It’s funny, my six year old cannot wait until she’s 10! I want to keep her young forever!
Motherhood (parenting) is nothing but a series of heartbreaks. But most especially it is a series of constant joy and happiness which almost always outweighs the heartbreaks. Which are usually very short-lived. My son is now 25, on his own, and doing great. He calls every Sunday, but on those occasions when he doesn’t I still have a mini heartbreak. I promise it’ll be alright.
Robin, I don’t even want to think about when mine is 25. I want them in my own town with me. 🙂
The worries I had with my son and daughter. It is tough when they start growing up, but just remember they will always be your kids that you love! They will love you back and give you so much more than you can even imagine. My son and daughter are grown up and I still spend time with them and hug and kiss them! I love them tons.
So glad you are close to your kids, Julie. I live about 1.5 miles from my parents and we see them almost daily. I hope my kids live near me when I am older!
I agree it is heartbreaking because you want them to rely on you and snuggle but they want to be independent. Ahh the joys and heartaches of being a parent.
My son is a snuggler, thankfully. But I am sure that will pass and it will be another heartbreak. Parenting is hard stuff…
Elisabeth Stone definitely knows of what she speaks. I really like her quote. Thanks for sharing!
#3 is the only one who has ever co-slept with us. I watch her at night and I get sad because I know she is growing up and she won’t be in my bed forever. Parenting is so rewarding, but it’s hard and it’s bittersweet! I wish they could stay babies forever!
It is so bittersweet Leila. Parenting is such hard stuff! I look at them and watch the years fly by and I want to hit a pause button!