The Magic of Littles

Now that my youngest is almost 18 years old, I can't help but think of the "Littles" stage. Being a mom filled my cup a thousand-fold. Even through the hard times, I'd do this over with them again and again. If there’s one stage in particular that is my most favorite, it would be the ages four to six. It's this age when independent thoughts start forming, and suddenly, you have a tiny human who is full of opinions, curiosity, and the funniest one-liners you’ll ever hear.

Conversations at this stage are absolute gold. They ask big questions about the world; ones you sometimes have no idea how to answer—"Why is the sky blue?" "Do fish sleep?" "What if dinosaurs were still alive?" Their imaginations run wild, and it’s both hilarious and heartwarming. In the middle of Target is where my oldest started so many wonderful conversations with a breathy aw inspired, "What is that?" and my youngest used "what if" to start so many conversations.

Beyond the endless giggles, this phase is also when their little world starts to expand. soccer, swim lessons, lacrosse—oh my! No one prepared me for the level of pre-planning required to get into a simple mommy-and-me swim class. (Seriously, six months in advance??) My husband and I had to quickly adapt our spontaneous lives to a much more scheduled reality. I'd have to say that was probably the hardest lesson to learn during the early years. (Fast forward 20 years and now I can confidently say I'm much better at scheduling ahead.)

This is also when you realize how important parent friends are. You need a village—a tribe to swap stories with, to vent to, and to help navigate the ever-growing list of activities and social calendars. Playdates aren’t just for the kids; they’re for you too!

Although the freedom of spontaneity was no longer at our disposal, we realized that those years allowed us to be creative in our play with the kids, like finding Fairey homes during our nature walks, making up stories, singing silly songs and watching them grow their imagination.

I realize I may see this stage with rose colored glasses, but the growing pain, like labor, fades over time. The good news.... what's left are the memories of their milestones, the squishy hugs and wet cheek kisses.

So, embrace the magic of this phase. Encourage their curiosity, soak up the snuggles (while they still let you!), and build your village. These years are a treasure, and they go by faster than you think. Love Mom

Davindia

I’d love to hear from you! Have thoughts, questions, or just need another mama’s perspective? Drop me a line and let’s connect—together, we can navigate this wild journey of motherhood and figure it out one step at a time.