CHILD: Mommy, do you wish I could always be three?
MOTHER: Why do you say that? What makes you think I wish you could always be three?
CHILD: Well, you seem sad about me turning four.
MOTHER: I'm so happy that you turned four! I'm so proud of you. You're such a big boy now!
CHILD: But, you still call me Baby sometimes instead of Big Boy.
MOTHER: I'm sorry. I keep forgetting, don't I? I just got so used to calling you Baby when you were little. I'll try harder to always call you a big boy from now on.
CHILD: Do you miss me being a baby?
MOTHER: Well, Mommies always remember their children being babies. And as I see you get older, I do miss some things about when you were a baby, sometimes. I miss being able to carry you around in the crook of my arm. I miss the way you always wanted to snuggle with me. I miss the feeling I had teaching you your very first words, when you just started talking, and showing you everything in the world for the first time. But that doesn't mean I don't love you the way you are now. In fact, you're a lot more fun to be around now. We can play games together, and talk together about all sorts of things. And I'm so proud of you for learning so many things, and for growing into such a kind and smart big boy.
CHILD: So you're sure you don't want me to always be a baby?
MOTHER: Yes.
CHILD: But, why do you look sad sometimes when you talk about my birthday?
MOTHER: Well, to tell you the truth, I'm happy and I'm sad at the same time when you have birthdays. Mommies are always a little bit sad when their kids get older. I get a little sad on your birthday, because I know that every birthday you have brings me one year closer to a time when you won't want to live with me anymore.
CHILD gasps, blinks back sudden tears.
CHILD: But, Mommy, I won't ever want to not live with you and Daddy! Not ever!
MOTHER: Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to upset you! Don't worry. You'll still be living with Mommy and Daddy for years and years. I'm talking about someday far away, when you're all grown up.
CHILD: Hmph. Well, maybe when I'm one hundred years old, then I won't want to live with you anymore. When I'm a hundred, you'll have to live without me.
MOTHER: Okay. When you're one hundred years old, I'll let you go.
12 comments:
I have darn near had the exact same conversation with Jake, and it ended up with him in tears until we agreed that he wasn't moving out until he was 80. :) Of course he said his wife and kids were going to live with us too, but he was never leaving his mommy. Not too sure his wife will like that.
Awwww. That is so very sweet. Makes me all teary.
Sometimes it is bittersweet to watch your kids get older. However, I was so ready for my boys to turn four it was unbelievable. They both had the worst case of the "Terrible 3's" imaginable. Four was a pleasant change of pace for us.
I still have two more kiddos to guide through toddler hood and preschool years. And there are so many happy years with all my children to look forward to. Like Aerosmith says…”I don’t want to miss a thing!”
Too effing precious. Maddy said she'd stay with me until I could stay alone. And of course I just blubbered all over the place.
PS - thx for the comment - want to hit Lowe's then watch Khan next weekend? :)
Gulp.
Odd resonation with Mr. Getting Ready to Send Boy Away to College in Two Months.
I remember 4. It was frickin' yesterday.
This was such a touching post. I have a three year old and I can relate to every word of this.
Damn, that sweetness is about to make me cry at work. I had a very similar conversation with Gabe when he overheard me telling Anna to quit growing up already.
**sigh** Turning four is such big responsibility.
sniffle...
How can they DO that? I've got a three-going-on-four now and he says things that turn me inside out. I hope to be able to keep my cool as well as you!
Here by way of MOMocrats...
Too cute!! And thanks for the warning - i'll watch what I say to soph!
*sob*
Oh god, Jaelithe. I had to close my office door so my co-workers wouldn't see me sobbing.
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