Tonight we went to Burger King.
We almost never eat fast food, especially not on a weeknight. I pride myself in bringing home the bacon and frying it up in the pan. Or, in my case, bringing home the boneless, skinless chicken breasts and grilling them on the George Foreman. But whatever.
Tonight the evening got away from us. So the four of us went to Burger King.
Boy Child and Girl Child are ten now. An age that is right on the cusp of both childhood and teenager. An age where they are asking and learning (Tonight: "Mom? What's a condom?") and an age where they are still extremely innocent. An age, I am learning, in which they really like to eat. And not kid's meals, people. Adult food!
As we sat and ate our adult food, it occurred to me how pleasant it is to be the mother of ten year-old children. How easy it is, right now, today. How I don't have to feed a baby or cut up anyone's chicken or handle a meltdown from a two year old or a sullen teenager. How we can sit and eat and talk and how very pleased they are to be eating a chicken sandwich instead of a meal that came with a toy.
And? How very pleased I am with who they are turning out to be.
I know things will probably get harder in the next few years. I know are times when I whine excessively about not having another baby. I know that this is just a very small moment in time, a mere snapshot of the chaotic world that the four of us share.
But I'll take it. Tonight. And I will be grateful for every moment of it.
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20 comments:
I envy parents of older children, I can't wait to be able to sit down with my kids without having to contantly tell them to eat and quit playing, and that they can't have their toy till they finish their chicken nuggets. I was never really cut out for babies though. Everyone tells me to enjoy them while they are young and I do try to but man, I can't wait till they are just a little bit older, 6 will me fine with me. :P
I loved 10!! My favorite times in my kids's lives where when they were between the ages of 8 and 10. 11 wasn't too bad; 12 the tween stuff was starting. 13-OMG. My youngest son didn't start the really bad teenage stuff until age 15, interestingly enough. Each kid is different. Oldest son started it about age 13. My kids are 25 and 20 now, and much nicer to deal with. I'm SO GLAD I'm done with the teenage crap!
But something to look forward to? When they turn 25? They really come around and start to really be adults and make adult decisions. At least that has been my experience. My 20 year old son is still not making good decisions, but at least he doesn't mind being seen with me in public anymore. My oldest, who is 25? He actually -- ACTUALLY -- told me that his cell phone wouldn't be operational until next payday, because he had enough money to either buy food or pay his cell phone bill, and he decided to buy food. Imagine that!!! Wow. This was huge for him.
Enjoy this age and the next couple of "golden years." Then know that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel, even if it isn't for 10 more years. :-)
You're lucky; you'll have Jason during the teen years. I was a single mom until 3 years ago. Believe me, that will make a HUGE difference. You are blessed to have him.
I'm telling you . . . you nailed my life so eloquently. "Cutting up Chicken" and dealing with a "sullen teenager."
Yep - that's me!
I like it that Princess is getting to the age where she can be (somewhat) self-sufficient. (sp?)
Do, how did you answer the condom answer? And, I will be emailing you tomorrow if that is ok!
It's not the age so much as the parenting. I've seen some pretty rotten ten year olds. You're such a fabulous mum.
You know, I can relate to this post completely. Sometimes I think to myself why would I want to have a baby when it means losing sleep and probably not enjoying a meal out for quite some time whereas now Abi and Brad are the perfect age to enjoy things. Fortunately though, we haven't gotten into the kids eating adult meals yet as they still prefer "Happy" meals.
I love those moments, the ones you just know you have to stop and appriciate :)
you really do have such a sweet family!
That's exactly how I feel about my 11 year old. I am so enjoying his age right now. Not that I don't enjoy my 8 year old, but it's different.
Oh, that does sound very pleasant.
I'm dying for my 2 1/2 year old to be willing to potty train. Just not buying or changing diapers would be lovely.
And you have every right to be proud. You have brought up two AMAZING kids and I can't wait to see how the rest of their lives turn out. Because I know you'll be blogging and I'll still be reading, 20 years from now. You'd better be!
Once again girlfriend, you have taken the thoughts completely out of my head and put them on paper or should I say blog? It's so nice to have an 11 year old who is pretty self sufficient.
From about age 8 up until about age 12 (nearish to it anyway) is awesome. I love that in-between stage where they've left behind needing their little asses and snotty noses wiped, and just before reaching the you-know-nothing-you're-just-a-mom stage. That last stage? Makes me have unthinkable thoughts sometimes, and it's hard to reconcile how I could push out a little person and love them so much, to find out later when they reach the teenage years how they can be so horrid (at times).
Anyway. It's all good in the end. With perseverance, patience, consistent discipline and a lot of love. Vodka or Rum may help too.
Ten sounds like fun. Six. Not so fun. I want ten. Or maybe it is just your kids. Maybe your kids just rock.
I think everyone needs to step back and take a look at the good stuff sometimes. It's easy to get lost in the chaos and forget to appreciate it.
And how many more years until I can have a pleasant meal??
I'm not sure ALL ten year olds are as pleasant as yours! But it is a fun age, isn't it?
9-11 is what I like to call the magic age. Kids are so great at that age, and yours are of course super great! Enjoy it while it lasts :)
That is a great sentiment!
The other great thing about them eating adult meals? Fewer little Happy Meal toys to step on!
What I would give to have a nice, quiet meal with my family...
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