This week Karis took her first steps. It was an exciting time. She so far has gotten up to seven steps in one little jaunt. Now when we go somewhere I can hold her hand and walk beside her. She can almost make it from the couch to the ottoman without assistance. It is very cool.
Having your child take their first steps comes with mixed emotions. As a parent, you look forward to your child developing in a healthy way. You are thankful for those first steps, and you are grateful that you witnessed them while she was at home for the week.
On the other hand, you are also confronted with this "O CRAP" moment. Now she will be able to move even more quickly, grab things she shouldn't have even faster, and you will have less control over your child than you have before. I am not an experienced parent, but my guess is that this cycle repeats itself over and over again.
I am beginning to understand what parents allude often but rarely say. Parenting is this rapid fire experience of continuous moments of joy and grief, lived over and over again. It is a beautiful ride, but it is never easy. Your child grows up, which is good. But over and over again you have to leave precious moments and precious habits with your child behind, never to experience those things with your child again. So you must keep marching forward and letting go. Finding ways to protect against new dangers and challenges, and develop new patterns of caring and supporting your child. Wow, what a wild ride!
1 comment:
Well said!
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