Why I’m Cherishing All My Children’s “Lasts”

by Amanda Foust May 15, 2017

by Amanda Foust 193 views

We are busy mamas, and it’s hard to always be present. But as our children grow, they are constantly experiencing “lasts” — the last time they call you “mommy” instead of “mom,” the last time they forget the number nine each time they try counting to ten, or the last time they need help climbing onto the kitchen chair. There are many “lasts.”

lasts

I realized a “last” during a recent bedtime routine. I was laying with my son as he rubbed my cheeks and made his usual nighttime lullaby requests. I always laugh to myself because I began singing the song “I Love My Hair” to my daughter from Sesame Street when she was going through questions about why her short, curly, black hair was so different than my straight brown hair. She loved the song for a bit but then moved past it. Well, my blonde hair, blue eyed son still considers “I Love My Hair” one of his favorite songs, so I giggled to myself and sang the words all about the reasons he should love his hair, and he smiled wide. Then he surprised me and requested the “ABC” song instead of “Twinkle Twinkle.” Several nights in a row he continued this pattern, and “Twinkle Twinkle” was no longer on his list of favorites.

I started thinking about how there have been a lot of “lasts” in his short two years of life, and I always miss out on acknowledging them until it’s too late. To be honest, I was kind of over singing the song “Twinkle Twinkle” every night for two years, but once it stopped, my heart ached for not treasuring that unexpected last time.

Can you mamas relate?

The last time crawling before walking, the last time he had a toothless smile before an ivory tooth popped through overnight, the last time your child grabbed onto your leg because she was scared of a new situation but now runs confidently into the unknown. There are many “lasts” that go unacknowledged until they are over.

And let’s be honest, most of us are annoyed with repetitive experiences until they stop. Then we grieve.

So to save you from missing out on those moments and wishing you had “one last time,” I wanted to remind you to be present with your kids enough so that you can recall the exact happenings of those times you want to hold onto — the sights, sounds, and feelings. I can’t tell you what that last cuddled up “Twinkle Twinkle” lullaby was like, but I want to be able to tell you about the last time my son held my hand in public or my daughter gave my cheek butterfly kisses at the end of a long day.

As our kids grow, moments are fleeting. Think about your most treasured times in the here and the now, and be sure to enjoy them, Mama.

Tell us in the comments what “lasts” you treasure?

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Amanda Foust

Amanda is a wife, mother, writer/editor, and certified life coach. Pen and paper make her spirit come alive. She spends her creative time reading, decorating, and handwriting fonts. Her world is better with an assortment of chocolate and a stack of books packed and ready for travel. She works each day to be a creative maker and a light bringer. You can find more of her writing at Downs, Ups & Teacups and TheDailyPositive.com.