November 24, 2009

Thoughts on mothering an eight-year-old.

He put his hand in my hand.

It was small, still a child's.

I tried to act like it was nothing, looking out of the corner of my eye.

I felt little butterflies inside, this kinda feels like the first time a boy ever held my hand. The magic. The wonder.

As he grows taller, past my shoulder. His legs never ending and skin and awkwardness and smiles and teeth. I try to suppress thoughts of me ever not being enough for him. Of me ever embarrassing him, of me being his MOM.

We are about to walk into a school event and he's taken my hand. He doesn't care. I squeeze it tight. I never want to let go.


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By Stephanie Precourt, Adventures In Babywearing - 7:59 AM
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42 comments:

  1. I don't know why but this made me cry.

    :)
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  2. Sniff Sniff...try to never let go.
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  3. so sweet! Made me cry this morning (oh the joy of those crazy pregnancy hormones!!!)

    They do grow so fast! Thanks for sharing!!!

    Renee
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  4. Awww, so sweet and true. I feel the same about my 8 year old son.
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  5. I cried too --because it is beautiful!
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  6. Ah, I feel this in my heart. So sweetly written.

    -elizabeth
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  7. Beautiful! How these little people capture us!
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  8. oh, i can feel this. beautiful.
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  10. Beautiful thoughts. Thank you.
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  11. Oh my. My oldest is 8, too. I have these thoughts often. He already doesn't like "needing" anything from me in public. :(
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  12. Oh...this left me in tears! I just snuggled my son to sleep for an earlier-than-typical nap, and was thinking about how I cherish these moments...all too soon he'll be too grown up to want to snuggle!
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  14. this brought tears to my eyes and tenderness to my heart. my oldest is nine and i have felt the same feelings you have expressed in this post! thank you for sharing!
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  15. Pass the tissue box please!
    That was beautiful.
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  16. Oh the tears. Oh the sad sweet salty happy tears.

    Nell
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  17. omg, the tears!

    Beautiful Steph!
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  18. This touched my heart. I'm holding on tight too. :-)
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  19. Tears! I totally feel that way. This stage is such an in-between. Still really needing us but also craving independence. I love this age, though. I love every age! So much new and different.
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  20. I cried too. My little guy will be 2 next week. I try to take a picute in my mind every time he takes my hand.
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  21. Waaa- you made me teary!!! :)
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  22. I have a 10 year old and there are times where he's just my Nick and not 10 year old Nick... during those times he will hug me or jump in bed like he used to! Its a great feeling.
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  25. Gasp, beautifully written... May there be many more school events in your immediate future!!! Hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving together.
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  27. 8-year-olds are fabulous. Truly, truly fabulous. Although, in honesty, the idea of having an 8-year-old of my own feels vaguely alarming, and it will be here before I know it. I can see why you would never want to let go.
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  28. this made me cry because i totally know this moment. fortunately, i still get to experience it for a little while longer - and hopefully forever!
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  29. so sweet and hope I have the moment with my little man when he is 8. Can't even imagine him 8! Enjoy every moment mama!!!
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  31. goosebumps.

    can't wait to meet you in real life.
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  32. ps - also huge thanks for all you did to make cupcake 10 happen :)
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  33. Love this, I feel the same for my now 9 year old son...
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  34. Just had to stop by and say I'M SO FREAKIN" EXCITED ABOUT CUPCAKE '10!!! Hi I'm Heather's neighbor Susan :)
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  35. Add me to your list of criers! My son is 10. 2 1/2 years till the teens. 5 years and he can drive. We conflict at times, but now I know to give him a hug, hold him, and look him in the eye. He softens. My little boy is still there, loving his mom.
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  36. My eight-year-old is the same way. She'll still hold my hand as we walk back and forth to school. She doesn't know that embarrassment of "Mom." I'm still just Mommy to her.

    I know it won't always be this way. But I sure do treasure it.
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  37. This made me all teary eyed. I am so not ready for my babies to grow up.

    I can't wait to finally meet you at CUPCAKE '10.

    Bri
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  38. Sigh... I can feel my eldest finally pulling away. I'm still "Mommy" and not "Mom" but even that change is on the horizon. I can feel it...
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  39. My 10-year-old still unashamedly holds my hand. I LOVE IT. :-)
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  40. So sweet. So succinct. So you.

    Thanks for making me pause and remember that these moments won't last forever.

    stephanie@metropolitanmama.net
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  41. That was very touching. The future is always a scary place to think about.
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  42. goosebumps. tears. just about the sweetest thing i've ever read.
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