This morning, the breakfast table was strangely quiet.
Just three years ago, my three kids sat around the breakfast table in a beehive of activity and chatter. Then when my oldest went to middle school (which started one hour before elementary school), that left my two girls at breakfast. They can make plenty of sound!
But today’s back to school is different. Our school district is year-round which is why we (gasp!) are already in school today. Ethan started high school (gasp again!), Noelle started middle school (double gasp!), and Lucy started 4th grade (ahhhh, at least this is familiar territory).
The bigger kids leave at the same early hour now, leaving Lucy and I alone at the breakfast table. It was really quiet and kind of weird. I thought to myself, “Good thing we got the dog!”
I looked at Lucy. “It’s going to be you and me at breakfast for the next three years.”
It got me thinking. In three years, Ethan will only have one year left at home before leaving for college. In three years, Noelle will be in high school. What a dramatic difference three years can make in the life of a child.
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I realized this morning that instead of resisting change and bemoaning the gradual departure of my children, I must capitalize on the moments.
“Lucy,” I said. “Since it’s going to be just you and me at breakfast now, we will start doing special mom/daughter devotions for just you and me.”
Her eyes lit up…and so did mine.
There is something beautiful in every season and every change in life if we will just look for it…or create it.
Mary had to watch Jesus grow up too. Have you ever thought of that? Luke 2:51 says, “Then he (Jesus) went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.”
As your kids grow up, there is a bittersweetness to it. You’re sad because they are one year closer to leaving the nest. You’re happy because they are learning and growing and developing. Ponder these things in your heart and look for the beauty in this exact season of parenting.
You will not travel down this road again. Don’t miss the view and the journey.
This post originally appeared on ArlenePellicane.com and was republished with permission.
Arlene Pellicane is a speaker and author of several books including Calm, Cool, and Connected: 5 Digital Habits for a More Balanced Lifeand Parents Rising: 8 Strategies for Raising Kids Who Love God, Respect Authority, and Value What’s Right. Learn more at ArlenePellicane.com.
