THE SEVEN AGES OF PARENTHOOD

Phase 1: The thought that gives you goosebumps.

Your biological alarm goes off. Every baby is unbeliveably cute. Am I ready for kids? They are pretty darn cute. Why not? Plus, making babies is quite fun!

Phase 2: Heavy with Child

You check your calendar to see that your period is late. Oh my. This really could be happening. Your heart beats faster at the thought of having a baby on the way. Your bladder pushes you to go to the bathroom as you feel a kick in your stomach.

Flash forward a few months. The kicks, elbows, backaches, and swollen ankles are part of your daily routine. Gross! Varicose veins. What happened to your body?

Baby arrives with loud fan fare. You swear at your husband and swear you can't take the pain of giving birth ever again. You spot her cute grin and your heart melts.

Stage 3: Your life has changed forever.

You have lost your precious sleep time. Your nipples are beyond sore and you are going delirious from dieting. However, your precious bundle of joy can harm no one. She is perfect with a perfect smile. She just found her little toes. She tastes them. Maybe she is hungry you laugh.

The "firsts" for every occassion erupt. She sits, crawls, stands, and walks to you all on her own. She can eat solid food and go to the potty. You are so proud until she throws an ear piercing tantrum. This doesn't deter your enthusiasm about celebrating her "firsts".

The television takes place of fun, stories and games.

Your baby hits the academic world. You know she is ready, but will miss her.

Phase 4 Playgrounds, parties and alphabets.

How fast they change from being cuddly babies to young, independent, school kids. In some English private schools they even wear a uniform with cap and tie (for the boys)!

Toilet jokes - everything and anything to do with pooping and peepee is absolutely hilarious!

The first best friend wonderfully appears while the first brush with rejection sadly appears. She has bumps and scrapes from play. She doesn't understand why things are not always fair.

How hard it is to let them go - but you can't protect them from everything.

Phase 5: Time for academics

The subject of play turns to math and english. She is a good student, but some students are not. You are lucky to have a smooth academic experience ahead of you.

Even so, there are always the little events to remember - All she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth (along with Barbie and a puppy dog!)

The temptation to baby her strong, but you remember she needs to do her chores.

Stage 6: She hits middle school.

They hit puberty and their body will be changing every day. Girls and boys don't spend time with each other. Girls think boys are icky and gross.

Your personal style will not be cool no matter what. No one wears the clothes you have in your wardrobe and your daughter will tell you this every day.

Language. Well cool.

The training bra and makeup come on. Puberty wreaks havoc on voices.

Stage 7: The opposite sex suddenly looks attractive.

Boys and girls view each other differently now. They wonder if anyone wants to go out with them.

Suddenly too, your precious child, whom you taught everything, knows more than you. In fact, you apparently, know nothing, and they knows everything!

Parents are not cool while friends are the top of their social list. Your daughter wants to stay out late with friends. Can't you just be a cool mom and let her stay out until 3am?

But, every now and then, you can have an amazing conversation with your new young adult - as long as you aren't trying to lecture them.

Your daughter becomes an adult. She is back to talking with you and tells you about her life dreams. She is ready to tackle the world.

Stage 8: (The rest of your lives.)

Your daughter has moved out of the house to start a family of her own. Does she need help? Should you call her?

You will always have a place in your heart for your children no matter what they do.

Time flies. Take a moment to enjoy the specialness of each and every day with your children.

Article Source: http://www.article-heaven.com

Dr. Noel Swanson is the author of The GOOD CHILD Guide for managing children's behaviors and writes for an excellent parenting website.
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