Son growing up!

[Madmumma5]

Really struggling with my 9 year old son getting older! Google photos keep showing all these memories of when he was younger, they have me in floods of tears! And now the time has come to have the discussion about sex and puberty, I can’t get into my head that I’m discussing these topics with my baby! How can we be talking about transformers and Lego one minute and then sex the next?
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a strong believer that letting him know both his dad and I are here to talk about whatever he needs and we answer all his questions honestly in an age appropriate context. Even got a book about body changes to help us out. But how do I cope with him not being my little boy any more? Please tell me I’m not alone in feeling like this. 😔

My baby (#3) is 17yo and I do get nostalgic about when I had three little ones who were excited because I said we'd go to the park and take a picnic.

But as they get older, you can get excited (and sometimes scared) about what they are learning and becoming. Mine are 24, 21 and 17, and the two younger are picking their own way through life with things I'd never have dreamt of at 9yo.

And you can enjoy that they are a little bit independent, can be left to do their own things while you do yours, and have their own opinions and ideas.

Ds still often has me creased up at some of his ideas, which hasn't changed since he was 9yo. Dd2 is still a drama queen (maybe I should have guessed what she'd end up doing) and dd1 has just baked and iced a cake which looks too good to cut. Well, that's what I've just told dh.

So it's fine to look back with joy and sometimes regret (why didn't I tell ds that daily showers were non negotiable when he was still young enough to pick up and put in!) but also look forward while enjoying the present.

9yo is still young enough that they can find pleasure in days out with you. But go for their interest. Dd1 likes to go to a coffee shop and talk just us. Dd2 prefers a theatre trip. Ds at 9yo would have gone anywhere for a WWII museum/event.
They think they're grown up but aren't really. They need your input still.

My boys are grown up and moved away. Youngest was meant to visit this weekend but cancelled this afternoon. I was working but on my tea break when i heard. I went to a quiet corner and had a silent cry.
I just wanted to see him.

It doesn't get easier.

Aww I know I cannot believe my eldest is almost 10. I would loooove to go a squish 2 year old him again. It’s sad, never ever ever going to meet him as a baby again. Ugh.

But he is SO excited to be a teen so I am staying positive about it. I’ve recently let him get some lynx and he absolutely loves it. Loves a bit a hair wax and washes his face with his face wash without prompting. Massively into getting muscles and being fit. Loves going to the shop on his own etc. So that’s positive.

My dd is 22 and at uni. I have photos of her as a toddler and from when she was at primary school as rotating screensavers on my phone. Sometimes, I get nostalgic because I did love those times.

What I miss most is the cuddles. She was a real mummy's girl when she was little and was very cuddly. Once she hit the teenage years, that stopped and she still doesn't really like being hugged.

But there are positives. We have interesting talks. She tells me about her plans for the future. I love that she's turned into a confident, independent young woman. And when she's upset about something, I'm still the one she calls in the middle of the night.