Ages, Stages, Experience and Love

No two people are exactly the same. Everyones road/walk of life is different. We've all seen and had different experiences. The way we react emotionally to these experiences, molds and shapes who we are. This starts in infancy, how our parents reacted when we cried. How we played shaped our development. How we are snuggled and loved taught us about emotions.  This development continues all the way up until age 25, according to research that is when the human brain is done developing. Time passes by so quickly, and rarely at the time we experience something do we treasure that time. It's only after it's past do we look back on it in remorse for it having passed so quickly.

I love my children. I miss when the older two were younger. I would have changed how I did some things with them, having more experience and knowledge now.  I don't think I have done a bad job with them up until this point. In fact they are two of the most loving and compassionate kids that I know. As they grow and enter and exit different stages of their growth, I learn more. I learn how to help them be confident, independent and socially sound individuals. Tyler right now is 10. He's in the last few years of young childhood. He's finding out who he is, what he believes in and is seriously thinking about what he wants to be when he grows up. So far, he's been consistent in wanting to join the Army. I told him that I would support him no matter what he decided, but that he should find out all the information on each branch of the military before making a final decision. He said "So Mom, you'd be proud of me if I were a Hobo?" I told him he's my son, and that NO MATTER WHAT I'd be proud of him. My daughter Julie is 8. She's struggling to find what she likes and wants. She wants to do everything like Tyler, but wants to be herself. This creates a conflict for her. She's very scattered, and sometimes struggles to stay focused. She loves non-fiction books and loves to draw. She's my hands on active learner. Kaylee is 6 months. She drools, puts things in her mouth to learn about texture and watches everything. My husband says she has a staring problem, because every time we go out she's always just watching people. We play, laugh and snuggle, but she is still completely reliant on Jon and I to provide all of her basic needs. That will change rapidly.

Each of my children has their own wonderful and unique personality. Their personalities and sometimes personal struggles keep this house busy, active and interesting. Like my Mom tells me, and like I'll tell my kids. The only one thing in my life I would never change is having my kids. They have helped me become who I am, and as they grow and change, so do I.

Through the smiles, tears, laughter and pain, I'll always love them, support them and make sure they know how very much I appreciate and respect them as individuals.