My daughter sits on the vinyl bench, her hands nervously clasped in her lap. She’s eager for that second ear piercing, but the thought of needles makes her uneasy. She took the initiative to call the tattoo parlor herself to confirm they pierce minors — a request for her 17th birthday.
As I watch her, I’m transported back to her 8th birthday when she got her ears pierced for the first time. She was just as anxious then. We wandered the mall to help her build up courage, going through several rounds of “You don’t have to do this if you aren’t ready” encouragement before she finally allowed them to bring the piercing gun near her ears.
Now, it’s a hollow needle instead of a gun. She’s done all the research, made the calls, and despite her nerves, she sits down immediately. Other than needing my signature for consent since she’s still a minor, she’s managing this entirely on her own.
The stark contrast between my little girl and this emerging young woman hits me hard. And the reality that in just a year, I won’t be part of these moments anymore sends a wave of panic over me. Time is slipping away.
When we welcome our babies into the world, adulthood feels like a distant reality. And it truly is — it’s a long, winding, beautiful journey from their arrival to when they eventually leave our home. Some days, I’ve felt every single one of those 17 years, while other times, it feels like I blinked and now here we are.
This shouldn’t catch me off guard. I know how time functions, and it’s not as if she hasn’t aged yearly, just like every other child. But she’s not just any child — she’s mine. I’m not just any parent; I’m her mom, her only mom, and I crave more time to get it right.
I reflect on the visions I had when she was younger. I had dreams of the kind of mother I would be, plans for our adventures together, and all the years I assumed I had left to fulfill them — that time is almost gone. Overall, I believe I’ve done well, but the nagging question remains: has it been enough?
More than ever on this birthday, the sound of time ticking weighs heavily in my ears. Am I teaching her everything she needs? Have I nurtured her talents sufficiently? Have I empowered her to soar when the time comes? Have I strengthened our bond enough for her to want to return home?
A part of me feels satisfied, while another part is devastated that my little girl is nearly grown. Some days, I wish I could relive it all, while other days I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.
What resonates most with me right now, though, is the essential need to grasp these fleeting years with both hands. I’m not suggesting we relish every single moment; motherhood can be exhausting and overwhelming. Some days drag on, and others can be downright difficult. But the years — they vanish quickly, and we have only so many before they’re gone for good. We can’t rewind and redo; this is our one opportunity to shape our children’s childhood.
Perhaps we should prioritize the truly important over the mundane more often. Maybe we should push past our fatigue for those late-night talks with our tweens and teens instead of rushing them to bed. Perhaps we should carve out more one-on-one time for outings, create more shared moments of play, reading, and family travel before our unit begins to change.
We must hold onto these years while they’re right in front of us, as they can slip away before we realize it. Embrace them now, with both hands, before they fade. Make the most of the time you have with your children while they’re still young. Don’t wait until you find yourself gazing at a grown-up version of your baby, wondering where the time went and how it passed so quickly.
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In summary, cherish these precious years with your children, prioritize meaningful moments, and embrace each day together. The time is fleeting, so make it count.
Keyphrase: Seizing precious childhood moments
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