Toddler to Teen

I was walking in the parking lot the other day with my oldest and youngest child. There are 14 years separating them. One is six foot four and over 200 pounds. The other is 3 feet shorter and 160 pounds lighter. It's interesting having children at such different stages of life. It made me think about the differences between having young kids and teenagers. Of course, I still have both, but here's a few observations.

  • Less Spongebob, more Survivor.
  • 8 o'clock bedtime extends to 10.
  • Bottles and sippy cups are replaced by soda and Powerade.
  • "Can I go out and play." changes to "I'm going on Facebook."
  • "What do you want to be when you grow up?" is no longer a fun question, but a serious consideration.
  • Fighting to keep them quiet during church evolves into watching in awe as they so reverently pass and bless sacrament.
  • I can no longer buy them clothes then bring them home. The clothes will either (a) not fit; or (b) be unstylish. Or both. More often it's b- I'm not nearly as cool as I think I am.
  • Toddler tantrums make way for teenage attitude. (Not sure which is worse.)
  • "Shotgun!" is replaced by, "Can I drive?" (I doubt I'll ever drive to church again.)

Now, I know I complain about my teenagers alot, but seriously, I do enjoy this new chapter in our lives. I love talking to them about grown-up stuff and seeing their sense of humor. I have three teenagers and sometimes they don't get along, ok, alot of the time. But, every now and then, I get these moments. Like last night, the three of them were in the kitchen together. Talking, laughing and joking. It made me smile. Then, one of them screamed like a girl, and it wasn't the girl. Oh, well. I'll cling to the moments, no matter how fleeting.

Tell me the differences you've noticed as your kids have grown.

Comments

  1. KimMarch 18, 2010 at 6:35 PM

    I can totally relate. I love to see the older kids with Hannah, it is so cute! Though Megan only somewhat tolerates her. It is interesting and I do love seeing them grow up. I am blessed in that the three oldest kids get along splendidly most of the time..it's the six year old and the eleven year old who clash the worst at our house.

    ReplyDelete
  2. meegzMarch 19, 2010 at 6:15 AM

    Funny, I was thinking about this exact same thing with you when I was sitting on the stand last Sunday looking out. You were holding Noah and I thought -- WOW, Julie has to keep her teenagers awake and her toddler quiet!:) You actually looked like you were enjoying yourself too...now that's impressive!!!

    As for my kids differences...well, when you have then 23 months apart...it's pretty much a tornado for 4 years...then you just see them all growing at a pretty smooth pace right along side each other. Seriously, it's a great way to go, but I have no learning curve. I just screw then all up.:)

    No really, I am REALLY enjoying right now with them -- what fun ages...6,8,10. I don't want to get any higher.

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