I'm new to the forum and hope to hear some other experiences. I have three girls who are 11. I am suddenly hit with the reality that they are growing up and will continue to grow up ALL AT ONCE! I feel that we've entered a new stage of our lives--no more "little ones" and I'm having a very difficult time coping. The girls are fine!! It's all me. Has anyone gone through a similar experience?

My girls are almost two and I'm having that realization. I can't imagine how you're feeling at 11. I'm sure most parents go through this as the first does something or the last does something. For us, it's just the first and last at the same time!

Brenda
mom to GGGs born 6/29/09 at 32w4d

I have been hit with "OMG, They are growing up" many times.

First when it was time to take down all the cribs. I realized I couldn't do it all in one day. Too sad, so I did each one a week apart.

The next time I remember was when the girls were in kindergarden. We were all getting ready in the morning and as I walked out of the BR I saw all three tying their own shoes. I actually cried that they needed me just alittle less.

I have been hit many times this year as they study for tests and I realize how much they already know or listen to them discuss the characterizations in To Kill a Mockingbird and hear their maturity.

Next year will be a toughie as I watch all 3 of them walk into high school.

They really are all growing up, and so beautifully!

And then I go see one of my clients who was born with severe disabilities. At 15 he has the mental capacity of an 18 month old. Every time my kids backtalk, I think how his paretns would love to hear him sass them.


Judie and Victor
lucky parents to
Frankie 3/95
Maggie 7/96
Rose 7/96
Elizabeth 7/96

My three boys just turned 14. Standing next to them is a bit of a shock. While I am 6'3" (I was 6'4"!) and I still have 5 to 6 inches on them, it still is amazing to realize how much they have grown in what seems to be such a short time!

We went camping this past weekend -- lots of fun and I am looking forward to the 4 years of high school coming up. While it is easy to fall into remembering the past and wishing for what was, it is change that makes life possible. And it is change that makes the past worth remembering.

Vaughn and the ABC Boys
Alex, Bryce, & Calder
3-31-97 @ 28.5 weeks

I think about this quite a bit. My boys are sixteen and completing their sophomore year of high school. We've got two more years and they'll be off to college. I remember when they were little thinking that school seemed so far away, and now they are almost through with high school. I dread the day that they all leave for college and I have an empty nest. My friends all seem to focus on this and remind me of it all the time. They don't do it to be mean, it just hits them when they realize how our lives will change in an instant. I do have to remind myself that this is what they are supposed to do. This is what we have been preparing them for their entire lives. Like the previous poster said, there are families of children with disabilitites who would give anything to be able to send their child off to college. I know it will be difficult, but I am also excited to see what their futures hold. And yes, we are in denial about how we will afford college, but we'll manage somehow.

Heather, BBBB (two identical, two fraternal) 28 1/2 weeks, now age 18!

There is an old Japanese Zen story about a well-known calligrapher who was commissioned to make a piece of art for a wealthy man.

The calligrapher wrote "Grandfather dies. Father dies. Son dies"

When he saw what the calligrapher had produced, the rich man was upset and exclaimed, "How could you write such an awful thing?!"

The calligrapher replied, "When things happen in this order, all is well. It is only when they happen out of this order, that there is reason for grief."

And this is how I approach the growing up of my boys. Not that I do not feel a tug at my heart at the thought of them changing, growing, and eventually moving on, but I am so pleased to see them moving on with their lives as they should.


Vaughn and the ABC Boys
Alex, Bryce, & Calder
3-31-97 @ 28.5 weeks

Mine are 11 also and leaving elementary in 7 days...I am really struggling to accept that I will have 4 middle schoolers. It is a lot to take in all at once - jumping through stages is much more difficult than easing.

Deb
Son, 12
GGB, 10