I am joining in with Rhonda's On My Mind feature today. I was taking some photos earlier and suddenly it occured to me just how much my 3 girl's are growing up! Yesterday they enjoyed some craft together (which will be another post) and today was the first day they sat at their little table together and shared some afternoon tea! Where did my babies go? That's what is on my mind today……
These girls and the age gap between the teen and twins really has me in a spin somedays….i had the teen was i was in my early twenties and was only able to have a few months off before heading back to work full time….In her second year i became a single parent and there were some tough times but i also managed to finish a second degree as a single parent full time so i am proud of that achievement.
This time around (with a lovely caring partner) motherhood seems so different. There are aspects that are the same of course such as stress, lack of sleep, baby milestones, smiles, giggles, nappies and unfortunately PND. But many things are different….i have the support of a wonderful partner and Father to the girls, i have had the time in the last 10 years to achieve and explore in my career and now i have had the opportunity to stay at home with the girls for the first 15 months of their life. Some days it is groundhog day to be sure but i don't ever forget how lucky i am to be a stay at home mum at the moment.
I don't feel the teen has missed out in any way…i did my best and always put her first, in fact now she is excelling at school and has grown into a beautiful young lady whom i am very proud of. Working with young children can be just as rewarding and for many the only option….i was lucky that at the time i worked in child care centres so she always came with me (of course i did then have to pay to look after my own child…the irony!)
Sometimes i feel like i am not nearing my forties (39 next week…yikes!) but have stepped back in time to my twenties…such as craft afternoon with the 3 girls yesterday….much of the craft i still had in the craft box from when i did the exact same activities with the teen! Somedays i feel 50 when i try to keep up with the twins and i wonder how we will get through the next 20 yrs…surely i need the energy i had back then! Other days i feel like a young Mum again and relish the gift of being able to revisit all these special parenting moments!
As i look at these photos though what i can say for sure is that they are growing and they are loved and i am loved in return…and that is always on my mind no matter what age i feel!Do your children keep you feeling young or old?
Have a lovely weekend all and thanks for dropping by….
Jode x
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