This is my family by a creek on a bike ride.
Austin, my first-born, was a small baby. I was talking with a friend and elder here at Seven Oaks named Joel Crider. We were discussing how sweet and precious babies are and the enjoyment we were getting from Austin. I made some comment about the need to enjoy them when they are small, because they grow up and become more of a challenge.
I never have forgotten his response, “I enjoyed my kids at every age! Each age had its challenges and also its special qualities. I tried not to get too sad about the past, or worried about the future, but to enjoy every age with the kids. I loved them when they were babies and toddlers, but I loved them and had just as much fun with them when they were teenagers. You just enjoy different things about them and different challenges. We tried to soak it up and enjoy all the stages and be together as much as we could.”
Well this might not have been Joel’s exact words, after all it is has been over 8 years, but this is how I remember his thoughts. It has become a part of our parenting philosophy. I am now starting to see it play out even more. I have an 8 year old, 6 year old, 3 year old, and an 8 month old. I can now see many of the differences and challenges in the ages that Joel spoke about. I enjoy each part. As my youngest gets older, and we aren’t planning on adding any more, I want to work at enjoying the present. As Austin and the others hit the difficult adolescent and teen years, we are going to do our best to enjoy them, welcome them, and soak them up as well.
The day-to-day stress of kids and the age-specific challenges you face at the time can blind you to the joy you should be getting from them at this age. Try not to get so bogged down in the stress of the journey, that you miss the joy of the ride. Soak it up, if I have learned anything in my short 8 years of parenting, it is that kids change rapidly. They will not be at their current age long, they will change. You can choose to welcome and enjoy it, or you can begrudge it. I am determining to enjoy every stage!
