A New Level
So Tuesday has come again and yesterday slipped by without me getting a post up. Today I want to highlight my ten year old daughter on her reaching new levels of personal development.
Kids grow so quickly, yet we tend to miss so many milestones because they are so gradual for us who live with them all the time. Sometimes I step back and realize just how big my kids are growing by remembering how small they used to be and the times when they couldn’t do what they now do with ease. Dishes is one of those things for my daughter. She’s always been a great helper and even as a toddler would pull up a stool or chair by your side at the sink. Her favorite part was making and spreading bubbles of course, but she was always enthusiastic about helping. As she’s grown the enthusiasm has waned but the skills have grown. The other other night I snapped a picture of her doing the dishes because I suddenly realized how she was now doing the job 100% on her own - and doing it well I might add. I suddenly saw that she didn’t need a stool or chair to reach anymore, nor did she even need my guidance on the steps of unloading and loading the dishwasher. I saw my growing girl becoming a little lady.
As she continues to grow I hope I don’t miss too many important changes and milestones just because they seem gradual to me. These are big accomplishments, no matter how small. Especially when you remember the times when they couldn’t lift their own heads, walk for more than a couple steps, reach a drawer or get their clothes on by themselves. Now she’s picking out her own clothes, writing in her diary and organizing her own room. That’s monumental development in such a short time. Would that we could keep up that level of growth and accomplishment in our later years!
So today I’m taking a moment to pause and acknowledge how gracefully my angel is growing.
Technorati Tags:
Family Parenting Sharing Motherhood Housework
Like this article? 
I love this post Holly. I’m so aware of how change evolves with my own oldest daughter. Even though the change is very gradual, these are still huge milestones! She’s learning to read this year and I remember just a year ago she couldn’t read at all! It’s so easy to take these things for granted.
Thanks Jamie! I so appreciate you taking time to drop by and comment. It’s so true that it’s too easy to take things for granted!
Comment by Jamie — February 26, 2008 @ 11:57 am
I can’t believe she is already 10 years old!! It seems like such a short time ago when we were in your home and she was a clever and entertaining 5 year old. My how time flies!
Right now we’re at the point where our daughter seems to be reaching new milestones every day or so. She is just like a sponge and soaks up everything we try to teach her and even things we don’t - a new word, a funny expression, discovering a new pattern or association between things. It is fascinating to watch!! Even though she is only a little over a year old, it is so crazy to look at pictures or watch videos of her from a year ago and remark on how much she has grown and changed during such a relatively short period of time. I can’t even imagine what she will be like at 10 years old and don’t even want to think about it right now. I’m trying too hard to cherish her as she is today.
You’re doing just the right things…enjoying the now! I’m so glad you’d share your thoughts.
I can’t believe it can be 10 years either!!
Comment by Margo — February 26, 2008 @ 10:55 pm
I see how much my oldest daughter has grown when I see her standing next to our youngest daughter. In my mind, it wasn’t that long ago when the oldest one was just a toddler too.
I know exactly what you mean!
Comment by Daddy Forever — February 26, 2008 @ 11:06 pm
That is truly something to celebrate. Those small rites of passage sneak up on you. You think you have a baby, and then all of a sudden they become full-fledged people. You’re doing a great job raising her and helping her to become great herself.
Thanks for joining PTT this week!
You’re so welcome. Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts!
Comment by Pass the Torch — February 29, 2008 @ 9:17 am