We have heard so often the phrase, "Enjoy your children while they are young" that it seem to imply that they won't be so "enjoyable" as they get older. We are given twelve years to love and enjoy our children before they are turned into teen-agers. God planned it that way so after twelve years we would be sort of attached and allow them to live into young adulthood when they become "enjoyable" again.
Although it's true that adorable babyhood is so fleeting, there is a lot to be said for "old kids". I cherish the memories of those first smiles, first tooth, first steps and I get such a lump in my throat when I look at first grade pictues with those toothless grins, all these are long gone, never to be enjoyed again, but then there are other "firsts". First proms are as exciting as first steps, first jobs are as scary as the first day of kindergarten (except mom doesn't usually take your picture as you leave) The first ride mom takes with a new driver can remind her so much of the first time he rode his tricycle for a whole block alone. And how about that first grandchild!
Things are a lot different now and I AM enjoying the fact that the only time I have to get up in the middle of the night is if I have to take MYSELF to the bathroom.
Grown up kids are great. It really is more enjoyable when you have a son old enough to WORK on your car instead of just begging to drive it. And I love "doing lunch" with my daughters now that it doesn't involve pureed carrots. They can go to the rest room alone and better yet, they don't yell out to the whole restaurant what they just did when they come out.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is Yes, enjoy your babies but don't think that's all there is,you will be a parent your whole life and you will love and enjoy and worry and laugh and cry over that 40-year old every bit as much as your 4 year-old.