Wow wow wow, what a milestone Liz! Having seen your parenting in action IRL, and read/listened to you for so many years, I know that you have given your your kids/step kids a beautiful foundation of strength, compassion, and support. I hope you will take comfort and joy in that reality (when not buried in a pile of tissues!).
This resonated with me. I only have one child who is finishing up his Master’s degree, talking about marriage with his (fabulous) girlfriend, not too far from fully launching himself as a completely independent adult in the world. I wonder all the time if I’ve prepared him well enough for his life. As an aside, when he was little and I was tucking him into bed every night, I would do “push-ups” over him, kissing him every time I lowered myself over him. I would do at least a dozen every night (and more if he’s let me) because, I told him, I needed him to have enough kisses from his mother to last his entire life. I definitely gave him every bit of love I could and hopefully that will help carry him through the tough times in life.
I do, Liz. I feel the same way. No matter how old our children are, your words will continue to be the truth. Thank you for putting into words the feelings so many of us have.
Mine just turned 29, which means next year she'll be 30, which means she truly is a grown-up adult, which is something I still have to remind myself when she is just living her life on her own like a grown-up adult. I wish I could say you will some day stop worrying about them, but that still hasn't happened here. But the pride is real, and I know 10 years from now, you will still be able to feel proud of them.
The idea of my (still little) kids growing up terrifies me. I'm so fascinated when other parents have it happen to them and everyone is just... ok? Maybe even thriving? The mere idea of not knowing where they are or what they're eating or if they went to the bathroom hurts my heart. But you're doing it! 👏👏 Also, your daughter is so cool! I want to copy her style, but I'm 40 and not so sure I can pull it off.
Fortunately, we don’t give birth to teenagers. We watch them grow a little more each day until one day — it’s not such a big leap to adulthood. Yes it’s hard, but it would probably be a lot harder if they went right from 9 to 18!
PS all the kids have amazing style! I could never copy it although interestingly, some of their style comes from the way they put together my hand me downs 😂
Ok, this makes me feel better, thank you. I think I’m imagining sending my 5 and 8 year old off into the world in their current states…which is terrifying. Hopefully they learn a few things before that day actually comes.
My oldest turned 18 this past weekend too (May 10). It felt a bit bittersweet for both of us. He was a bit melancholy about "not being a kid" anymore (his words) so I tried to give him space to feel those feelings while also reassuring him we can all be kids at heart and he has so many exciting things ahead of him.
Wow wow wow, what a milestone Liz! Having seen your parenting in action IRL, and read/listened to you for so many years, I know that you have given your your kids/step kids a beautiful foundation of strength, compassion, and support. I hope you will take comfort and joy in that reality (when not buried in a pile of tissues!).
Thank you, my friend! There are definitely a lot of tissues
I love your truth-telling. Right there in it with you. Congrats to your daughter on having a small part in a big thing!
Thank you Julie! Sooooo many truths. (Hopefully most are true!)
This resonated with me. I only have one child who is finishing up his Master’s degree, talking about marriage with his (fabulous) girlfriend, not too far from fully launching himself as a completely independent adult in the world. I wonder all the time if I’ve prepared him well enough for his life. As an aside, when he was little and I was tucking him into bed every night, I would do “push-ups” over him, kissing him every time I lowered myself over him. I would do at least a dozen every night (and more if he’s let me) because, I told him, I needed him to have enough kisses from his mother to last his entire life. I definitely gave him every bit of love I could and hopefully that will help carry him through the tough times in life.
That is the sweetest story! Now I’m like, why didn’t I do that?
Well done! I only had one to bring into adulthood and 5 (almost 6) years later I’m still dumbfounded. I’m still second guessing myself.
Perhaps our parents felt the same way!
I do, Liz. I feel the same way. No matter how old our children are, your words will continue to be the truth. Thank you for putting into words the feelings so many of us have.
Congratulations on a job well done.
Mine just turned 29, which means next year she'll be 30, which means she truly is a grown-up adult, which is something I still have to remind myself when she is just living her life on her own like a grown-up adult. I wish I could say you will some day stop worrying about them, but that still hasn't happened here. But the pride is real, and I know 10 years from now, you will still be able to feel proud of them.
❤️🥹
Brilliant photo choice! And congrats.
Girl. 🥹🫀
I know 😭
The idea of my (still little) kids growing up terrifies me. I'm so fascinated when other parents have it happen to them and everyone is just... ok? Maybe even thriving? The mere idea of not knowing where they are or what they're eating or if they went to the bathroom hurts my heart. But you're doing it! 👏👏 Also, your daughter is so cool! I want to copy her style, but I'm 40 and not so sure I can pull it off.
Fortunately, we don’t give birth to teenagers. We watch them grow a little more each day until one day — it’s not such a big leap to adulthood. Yes it’s hard, but it would probably be a lot harder if they went right from 9 to 18!
PS all the kids have amazing style! I could never copy it although interestingly, some of their style comes from the way they put together my hand me downs 😂
Ok, this makes me feel better, thank you. I think I’m imagining sending my 5 and 8 year old off into the world in their current states…which is terrifying. Hopefully they learn a few things before that day actually comes.
I’m going to make a wild guess and say yes
My oldest turned 18 this past weekend too (May 10). It felt a bit bittersweet for both of us. He was a bit melancholy about "not being a kid" anymore (his words) so I tried to give him space to feel those feelings while also reassuring him we can all be kids at heart and he has so many exciting things ahead of him.
But how beautiful that he could even express that. It sounds like you said all the right things. ❤️
Hoping I've done everything right enough - omg I feel that!
Me too and it’s wild.