Though all love originates in God and is for that reason God's own love, yet we are permitted to catch and reflect back that love in such manner that it becomes our love indeed, in much the same way that sunlight reflected from the moon becomes moonlight. - A.W. Tozer

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

The Real Milestones of Childhood

We've all read the books and dutifully written down (for at least the first child) when our babies got their first tooth, took their first step, said their first word.  (Dada? Really? Who's the one at your beck and call 24/7? Hint: It's not Dada.) But those aren't the milestones that stand out the most in my mind. Here are my Top Ten from birth to early teen.

1. Able to Grab Toy Intentionally - "Look! He grabbed the toy! All the money we spent on dangling toys over his chairs, swings, strollers and car seats is worth it!" (Weeps the last of the post-partum tears out of red, sleep deprived eyes.)

2. Can Hold Bottle/Sippy - "Stop crying honey, we'll be there soon, I know you hate your car seat. Here, look, bottle! You love bottle! Milk!" (Car fills with quiet sound of child learning to go to food to sooth their raw emotions. Parenting win? Whatever. It's quiet.)

3. Speaks Clearly Enough for Strangers to Understand - "Want cookie!" "Did you hear that? She wants a cookie. She wants a cookie! Even the nursery workers at church will know why she's crying. What about a delicious veggie puff, Darling?" "WANT COOKIE!"

4. Potty Trains at Night - This one is probably in the books too, but, oh my goodness, it is a beautiful thing. "Mommy, I need to pee." Groggy, but enchanted, mommy escorts darling to potty, then back to bed. Life is beautiful.

5. Sleeps All Night - "She slept all night! All night!! It does happen!" For mine, it was in this order listed above, but it happened! All night! Do you understand how amazing that is? How world changing? I can do this parenting thing. I've got it!

6. Can Read Own Books - "Oh, you want to read Green Eggs and Ham? Again? Really? Well, read it. I've got to finish supper." Car rides now include a basket full of books to go with all the toys and food, but who cares!

7.  Can Buckle and Unbuckle Independently - "Get in the car, kids. It's time to go. Everyone buckled up? (click, click, shuffle, click) All right! We're off!" This, my friends, this is freedom. It is life-changing.

8. Can Ride Bike/Walk to Desired Destination - "You want to go play with Jim and Sally? Fine. Have fun. I'll just be here with this book and cup of tea. Grab the mail while you're out there."



9. Can Mow the Yard - "Look, the lawn needs to be mown. Again. Have fun. Mommy loves you."

10. Is Bigger Than Mommy - "Wait, why am I pushing this heavy cart around? Why am I carrying this giant bag of chicken feed? You are taller, heavier and stronger than I am! It is officially not my job." Freedom!!

I look forward to future milestones. I'm assuming that Able to Wake Self Up and Get Ready and Able to Drive Car will be significant in my future list. It'll be a while, though. I'm just enjoying what I've got for now. One day, they'll hit that big Moves Out of House milestone, and I'm still not emotionally stable enough for that one. I need milk and a cookie.