Parenting
Embracing Five: A Journey of Growth and Adventure
by Laura Thompson
November 25, 2023
“Mom, I had a scary dream. Can you stay with me?”
It’s 5:30 AM, and I’m still groggy as I snuggle into your bed, wrapping my arms around your little body. You’re still in your superhero costume from last night, the same one you’ve insisted on wearing since Halloween just a week ago. In your bright red outfit, you are a mighty defender, bravely facing any foe that dares to approach. Except when the nightmares strike, and you need your mom to stand guard. And here I am, ready to confront any monsters lurking in the shadows, because in just a few days, you will be five. The days of my heroics may soon be numbered.
Yes, five is racing toward us like an unstoppable train, and I know I’ll have to board it soon, bidding farewell to this fleeting “four” stage. For you, that train cannot arrive soon enough. “I want to be six!” you exclaim in frustration. I get it. Being the youngest in your class and family can be tough, always feeling a bit behind your peers. “Don’t rush it,” I reply. “Five is pretty amazing. You’ll see.”
Already, as you stand on the brink of this new age, I can see you starting to grow up just a little. “B is for baby,” you proudly announce after kindergarten. “C is for cat!” Each day brings a fresh revelation. Your backpack is stuffed with number sheets you’ve counted, colorful dinosaurs you’ve drawn, and letter exercises you’ve tackled. With every passing day, your curiosity blooms, and your eagerness to learn expands. As I read to you at bedtime, you gaze intently at the pages, realizing that soon you’ll be able to read them on your own. Suddenly, the world becomes a realm of endless possibilities.
You hop on your bike and call for Dad to hold the seat as you pedal away. He runs after you, and gleeful laughter erupts as you speed down the hill. When you reach the bottom, you hop off. “I’m ready to go home,” you declare, the adventure at an end. “Are you sure you don’t want to ride again?” Dad asks. “Yeah, I do!” you squeal, and off you go once more. Five is not a straight path; it’s filled with starts and stops, courage and hesitation. It’s a dance between adventure and retreat, holding tight and letting go, all on the same journey.
Five means cooking eggs and getting yolk everywhere, but just enough makes it to the pan for a win. It’s squabbling with your older sister because she can do things you can’t, followed by cozying up beside her as she reads her entire collection of books, even the dinosaur ones she’s outgrown. Five is finally mastering jigsaw puzzles and accepting that some pieces are missing due to past mishaps. It’s the excitement of choosing your birthday dinner, declaring you want doughnuts.
Five is wanting to take down the Batman poster still plastered on the wall from last year’s party, yet leaving it up because you know “Daddy likes it.” Five is asking for “16 hugs and 16 kisses” before bedtime, only to wipe the kisses off your cheek moments later. It’s going to sleep dressed as a superhero and waking up calling for Mom.
As I cradle you in my arms, listening to your gentle breaths as you drift back to slumber, I realize that I could embrace this age. Perhaps I might even welcome it. Yes, when that five train pulls into the station, I promise to focus on the exciting journey ahead, not looking back. After all, how can any age be bad when it starts with doughnuts for dinner?
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In summary, five is a magical age, filled with growth, discovery, and adventure. As we navigate this journey together, I look forward to cherishing every moment of it.