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Holding on while letting go can be tough for us moms. I’m so thankful to Dreft for sponsoring this post so I can share how I’m trying to best balance helping my little one grow, and still keeping her my little baby.
My little one is my baby and she always will be.
At five years old we still call her the baby. I don’t think that will ever change since we called her older sister the baby till she was eight, or in other words the day the new baby was born. I have always struggled with finding the right mix of holding on, while letting go of the girls. I mean some days I feel like celebrating that I can finally sleep through the night and not have to carry a diaper bag everywhere. And then other days I can’t believe she is five. I mean five might as well as be fifty to me because they both mean she is not a baby.
But on my better days I know that I’m doing alright and that growing up is a good thing.
I look back at pictures and her “baby days” seem so far away and yet so close at the same time. And trying to imagine what we did before she joined our family might as well be me imagining a trip to the bathroom by myself, (which I am still waiting to happen 15 years after I became a mom for the first time).
And although the benefits of having an older child (hello no middle of the night desperate pacifier searches) are great and all, some days I’d rather sit back and remember the good ‘ole days when all it took to make her happy was me holding her. The baby memories come out of nowhere for me and they can be triggered by all sorts of things. From a new milestone in her development, like how she just learned to read (which should be really awesome except it also means I can’t spell things to Pete anymore, but I mean it is really awesome!) to the baby smell that we all love!
Once I am under the captivating baby smell the memories come flooding back and they warm my heart as I travel back in time.
And that it totally okay with me! I don’t miss having a baby at home as much as I miss her being a baby. It’s just such a special time that it’s hard to even explain or understand, unless you too are a mom. And if you are a mom, then you totally get how captivating that baby scent is which is why I’m pretty excited about Dreft Blissfuls In Wash Scent Boosters. They provide long lasting baby fresh scent that I can wash into her clothes!
Because, who doesn’t love and want more baby scent in their life?
I know I do! I want to smell that sweet smell and have those memories come flooding back all the time! And I’m going to enjoy the memories that make me get teary eyed just as much as the one of her destroying my office with all her building blocks, because that is what babies do and even then I knew that I would look back on those memories and laugh!
Isn’t this what life and parenting is all about anyways? Having fun and making memories?
Sock gloves optional.
And so I’m going to live every moment with joy and cherish those memories while holding on to my “baby” and encouraging her to grow up.
But you all know I’ll be stocking up on Dreft Blissfuls because she is only a baby for one year, and Dreft Blissfuls can bring back that amazing baby fresh scent (and all those memories) whenever I want.
I miss the snuggles. My kids are all pretty affectionate, but there’s nothing like those early days of all day snuggles.
This is adorable. As a mom of 2 beautiful children, I find it hard to let go too
You have beautiful daughter. Letting them grow is easier than letting them go though.
We just have a talk with my little girl last night about growing up. We told her it is hard but we, her parents, are here to guide her and teach her for whatever she needs to do. Yes, she will always be my baby girl. 🙂
Aw she’s growing up so fast! They all do really, enjoy each and everyday with the kidlets !
Your little girl looks so gorgeous. I am sure you had some great moments all through the years, where the special ones are when she was a Toddler. Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories.
Ack – don’t make me cry! My son is 4 and I’m already dreading letting go of the little boy stage.
I miss when my almost 7 year old was a baby, I keep myself happy by enjoying today.
Also my two younger ones help my baby fever. Lol
Aaw makes me want to hug my babies tighter. Time flies too fast.
This is so sweet! I miss how curious and playful they were. And I love holding them. Now they are too big to hold!
Okay to be honest I miss it all since my baby is graduation high school in about two weeks. It goes by way to fast indeed but than in a few years I am thinking grand babies. Yes!!! At least I can always give them back if it get to much. lol . I do think letting go after the first child grows up is easier when the next ones go of course that is only my opinion. Thanks for sharing.
Aww your daughter is so precious. My oldest daughter is 15 and I can’t believe how fast it went by. =(
I totally can relate to this. My son is 3 and growing up so fast. He is my last child so I’m holding on really tight!
Is it weird that I love doing laundry at my sister’s house because of all the baby laundry detergent she has?? It smells SO DANG GOOD!!!
Kids grow up way too fast, that’s for sure! I miss when she always used to hold onto my finger with her tiny little fingers. So cute!
Kids grow up so fast. Five is a fun age for sure.
What a sweet post! I don’t have any babies yet…hopefully soon!
What an awesome post to read. I don’t have kids yet but it is amazing to see how parenting changes as kids grow.
She is gorgeous girl! I can’t believe how quickly our babies grow up! Love this post and the pictures you shared.
It it is almost hard to believe that my daughter will be turning 3 in July. It seems like those years zoomed on by! I miss holding and cuddling her, especially when she was an infant. Now, she is so independent that she hardly lets anyone hold her. ~lol~
Ugh, my oldest turns five in September, and I’m holding fast to all the snuggles he lets me have. I feel like I’m running out of time! 🙁
Awh, this post made me sad in the way that only a Mom knows 🙁
Mine are growing up too. I’ve got one who’s 3 and definitely not a bady any more… she counts, does her ABCs and talks more/better than children twice her age. My husband and I are routinely looking at one another, dumbfounded, at the stuff that she comes out with. I said to him just last night, “She’s a mini woman now, not even a large toddler”.
I miss when she would just happily snuggle into my chest, wanting to sleep there, and stay content for hours with Mum. now it’s go go go 🙁
Luckily, I’ve got one who’s nearly 2 now and she’s still enabling me to hold on just a wee bit longer.
You are so beautiful and so do your kids, you are just eye candies 🙂 Isn’t being to mothers to girls wonderful? I won’t trade my daughters for anything in my life.