You Don’t Realize It Until You Do
When kids start becoming themselves
One minute, parents are everything to our kids.
The next, our children are becoming their own people...and the shift is so subtle, we often don’t notice it at first.
For example, my daughter used to call out for me whenever she had a nightmare. I’d lie down beside her, speak a few reassuring words, and she’d drift back to sleep.
Until one night, it didn’t work.
She’s a little older now, and something has changed. On the bad nights, I still tell her everything’s okay, and I think part of her still believes me. But I’ve noticed another part of her (maybe 10%) that holds onto the fear a little longer, second-guessing what I say.
She’s becoming her own person. Independent. Thoughtful. A little more skeptical.
These moments may seem small to others, but to me, they were huge.
And they taught me that, as parents, we have to learn to prioritize our children’s special moments - because growing up just happens.
These days, when I’m with my daughter, I’m with her. Phone down. No notifications, no distractions. Just time spent learning who she’s becoming so I can keep showing up for her in the ways she needs - especially as those needs change.
Work is important, of course, but other things are equally (or even more) important.
These small, fleeting moments - when our kids start becoming themselves - don’t come back. And unless we catch them as they’re happening, we miss them for good.