Phase 1: The thought that gives you goosebumps. Your biological clock ticks away and prompts you to smile at every cute baby face you see. Should you start a family of little ones? This tickles your curiosity as you love to "make" babies. Phase 2: Pregnant or not? You missed your period and are trying to decipher your home preganancy test. Are you pregnant? Wow! A sweet baby face could be on its way. You ponder this as you run to the bathroom yet again. Flash forward a few months. The kicks, elbows, backaches, and swollen ankles are part of your daily routine. Gross! Varicose veins. What happened to your body? Baby arrives with loud fan fare. You swear at your husband and swear you can't take the pain of giving birth ever again. You spot her cute grin and your heart melts. Phase 3: Creating a "first" for every occassion. Sleep is a long lost art. Your nipples kill and you are can't stand the endless dieting. Despite the discomfort your baby is worth every moment. She smiles at discovering her little toes. She tastes them. You get the bottle because she must be hungry. The "firsts" for every occassion erupt. She sits, crawls, stands, and walks to you all on her own. She can eat solid food and go to the potty. You are so proud until she throws an ear piercing tantrum. This doesn't deter your enthusiasm about celebrating her "firsts". The television takes place of fun, stories and games. First kindergarten or school: a mixed blessing. Where did my baby go? Stage 4: Her social world expands. How fast they change from being cuddly babies to young, independent, school kids. In some English private schools they even wear a uniform with cap and tie (for the boys)! The bathroom humor surfaces. Who knew relieving one's self could be so funny. Common "firsts" evolve to the first best friend and the first time facing rejection. She loves to run around the playground and ends up with bumps and scrapes. She realizes that life is not always fair. You have to let go, but desire to save them from any harm in the world. Stage 5: She hits the books. The subject of play turns to math and english. She is a good student, but some students are not. You are lucky to have a smooth academic experience ahead of you. She can be tough to deal with, but she is sweet when she asks for a pony for Christmas. Time too for rules and chores, they're not your little babies anymore! Stage 6: She hits middle school. They hit puberty and their body will be changing every day. The girls hang with the girls and the boys hang with the boys. Girls are too silly for boys. Girls think boys are not mature. Clothes. You are just SO out of date mom! No one wears that anymore! And why should it matter if my pants are hanging down by my knees? Mom, these clothes are too small! Lingo changes from what you said when you were her age. Their voices go up and down. Your daughter is embarassed and proud to shop for her first bra. Phase 7: They hit the social scene. Suddenly boys and girls are not so alien after all. Does (s)he fancy me? Your daughter gives you her advice and opinions whether you ask for them or not. Parents are out of style while friends are the top of their social list. Your daughter wants to stay out till the wee hours of the morning with friends. Why not? Everyone else is staying out that late. On special occassions your teenager will open up to you. Just listen, don't preach. Then, one day, the fireworks settle. The grunts turn into English again and like a phoenix from the ashes, and new (adult) human emerges - full of ideals and dreams and visions, but perhaps a bit short on confidence and wisdom. Phase 8 (well, who said I could count?) So they've left home - but they are still your little darlings. Your worries and hopes for them continue. You will always love your children no matter what. Life is short. Enjoy moments with your children whenever you can.
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Phase 1: The thought that gives you goosebumps.
Dr. Noel Swanson frequently writes for Yes Parenting website and also has a free newsletter on children's behavior problems. Feel free to grab a unique version of this article from the Unique Articles Submissions Service
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