A Mother’s Day Confession

I met a mom this morning, well call her New MomFriend. New MomFriend and I had a candid conversation and at some point I disclosed to her that I never have that “they’re growing too fast” feeling. The sentiment appears at some point towards the end of nearly 100% of chats between mothers about their kids. And I’d say about 90% of the time I somehow coax my face and mouth into sort of agreeing. But the truth is, nah…I’m totally good with the speed at which the days and weeks and months and years are passing in my children’s lives. When I expressed this to her, she tipped her head back in relief because she, too has felt alone in these feelings. Maybe I’m in the minority, but I don’t want my kids to “stay young forever”. I love watching them grow and I have no interest in slowing it down. I love seeing them inch closer and closer to becoming rational, at least reasonably responsible individuals. I’m excited about their first car and their first relationship and I don’t think I’ve ever felt the desire to hang on to any particular phase in their lives as it’s passed by. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I’ve been fortunate enough to stay home with my kids and be all the way in their face since birth. I guess I don’t feel like I’ve missed anything. Sure, I have a tiny list of regrets including not holding my summer-born boys back for another year of pre-k, but it by no means makes me wish they were still in pre-k. I knew I couldn’t be the only mother to feel this way and I’m pretty sure it’s not only me and New MomFriend. So here’s a shout out to you moms who are awkwardly nodding to the “I wish time could slow down”s but secretly yelling LET’S KEEP THIS GROWING UP WAGON MOVING, FOLKS. I see you.

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So speaking of time and motherhood, this weekend we celebrated my 9th Mother’s Day. I chose to spend that Saturday at the beach because there is no better place to be alive on earth. We had a great time because there’s no other kind of time to have on the best place to be alive on earth. It was a perfect day with the perfect people.