My Kids Grow Too Fast (Sniff) – What to Remember

(Inside: What to remember when you’re sad your kids grow so fast.)

Today was the last day of school and I was surprised at how sad I felt.

I’ve been looking forward to school being done and being home with my boys for months. But instead of feeling the mounting anticipation of excitement, a lump formed in my throat. As we snapped these last day of school pictures, I was overwhelmed with how big my boys have become. Yesterday, they were babies. I mourn the days when we have the whole day in front of us with nothing to do but be together.

But, if those sweet days had not passed and my boys were still babies, I wouldn’t know them as well. I wouldn’t know who they are and what they like to do and what they think about. I would miss the blessing of watching them grow and change and their personalities emerge.

When I cling to the past, I have a hard time enjoying the present and looking forward to the future.

We can recall memories with fondness, capture them on our cameras and phones, but then turn the sadness into wondering…

…wondering what new treasures lie ahead.

What new book will my oldest want to share with me? What funny things will my middle son say? What new activity will capture my youngest sons attention this summer? What family adventures will we share? And in it all, how will I be stretched and strengthed through motherhood?

Mommas like me whose hearts break a little bit each your child vertically stretches, remember: the past is sweet, but the future…

…it’s going to be awesome.

When we cling to the past, we have a hard time enjoying the present and looking forward to the future. #momlife Click To Tweet

It took me a long time to give myself “permission” to buy a nice camera. I’m glad I did – I’ve never regretted all the quality pictures and videos I’ve taken. However, I’ve regretted not spending the money sooner, I was about 5 years late to this party. I’m sharing with you the camera and lens I use (affiliate links) and telling you if you love tinkering with photography, it’s a great purchase. I never pay for photographers anymore – I’m thinking, I’ve come out pretty even, maybe even ahead.

Do you want empowerment but are too busy and/or tired to take time to find it? Let me do it for you. I seek out nourishment for moms, inspiration in parenting and the everyday sacred. Then I’ll send empowerment straight to your inbox. (Plus, all sorts of lovely freebies.) Let’s stay connected.

Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash

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Cheryl Donely

Cheryl is a mom of 3 boys, wife, speaker, high school teacher, and author of Empowered Moms & Kids. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is passionate about learning and teaching. On www.empoweredmomsandkids.com you’ll find inspiration and encouragement for moms raising tweens and/or teens. Read more in the “about” section of this page.