Below Happiness is Here shares eight priceless reasons to stop holding on to the baby years.
In an unnaturally quiet house, came a moment of clarity.
Our house is usually a bit noisy. Ok a lot noisy. You get that with four kids under eight. So when the oldest two went for a sleepover with family recently, my husband and I really noticed the difference. With half the number of children, there was half the amount of noise.
But that wasn’t all.
There were less questions, less giggles, less conversations, less company, less cuddles, less everything that older children bring.
And as we decided we missed the noise of a full house, I thought about all the things I loved about having a 7 and 5 year old.
You see I also have a 2 year old, and a 9 month old. And they are growing so quick! And it is so bittersweet. I love the baby stage, and the toddler stage too. It feels as if it is flying by and I spend so much time trying to remember everything and hold onto it and feeling sad about it being over too soon. But while I’m concentrating on that, I’m forgetting that there is more to come! There are so many things to love about each stage of childhood, and one is not greater than the other.
So while I will miss my newborn babies, and my cheeky toddlers too, I will love whatever is coming next. Older children are so much fun!
8 Great Things about Older Children
- The conversations
Conversations with my younger kids are still a little one sided right now. But my older girls and I have some great discussions. It’s so interesting hearing their opinions on things. I love hearing what’s on their mind.
- The curiosity
I just can’t get enough of watching them explore and learn. They come up with the best questions and I think they teach me something new every day. There’s something about seeing the world again through your child’s eyes that’s pretty magical.
- The love
Oh there is big love at every age, but the older they get, the more you hear those words back. A baby cries for you and wants to be near you. But, the arms of a big kid around your neck while they whisper an ‘I love you’ in your ear are just as special.
- The sweet notes
Sweet handwritten notes on your pillow. Need I say more?
- The adventures
The older they get, the easier it is to get out and about. Our big kids now like bush walks, rock climbing, swimming in the ocean, and all that fun stuff that’s harder to do with smaller ones. We don’t need to worry about nap times or nappy bags. Adventures await!
- The help
As I was writing this, my 7 year old came and asked me if I was alright because she heard her baby sister (who is sleeping on my chest) stirring. ‘Call me if she wakes up and I can take her to play’ she said with a smile. Big kids want to help! They fetch me nappies if I ask them, they help with the washing, cooking dinner, or feeding the dog. Not so much with cleaning their room but I’ll take what I can get! They love being a valued part of the family.
- The laughs
Big kids are funny! They come out with the most hilarious things. I laugh multiple times a day with these kids around.
- The independence
In the morning the big girls wake up and make their own breakfast if no one is up yet. They tie their own laces. They don’t need help in the toilet. And believe me you will hear about it if you try to take over something they wanted to do on their own! The sometimes exhausting dependence of the early years is sweet in its own ways, but I like the independence too.
I love everything about having a little baby in the house. It is such a magical time. New life is amazing and precious. But there is magic to be found scattered throughout every stage of childhood, and I don’t want to miss that by only focusing on one chapter ending. It’s only the beginning of a lifelong relationship with these wonderful people we have created.
Once again our house is filled with noise and laughter, questions and conversations. And that’s just how I like it.
Meet Sara of Happiness is Here. She loves photography, chocolate, Harry Potter, spending time in nature, life learning, and being a mum to her four beautiful girls. She and her family enjoy an unschooling lifestyle in Australia. She holds a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology, but boasts that being a mother to her girls (and helping them learn about the world) is by far her greatest achievement and joy.
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