Parenting : Caring for Small Babies vs. Older Kids
Someone (a parent of 2 small babies) said to me the other day, ‘Oh, it’s so nice that Anya and Vai are older now. They don’t need much physical care and you can get your good night sleep! Can’t wait for my kids to grow up fast!’
I smiled.
Now that I have a small baby and two older kids, I kinda have my personal opinion on this, I guess.
I casually said to him, ‘Parents of small babies are generally physically drained. Parents of older kids may not be as physically tired everyday, but they are more likely to be … mentally and emotionally drained instead’ =)
[10-week old Brie]
I don’t know if it’s because I care for two older kids at the same now that I feel caring for a small baby like Brie is SO much easier.
I mean, small babies mostly cry, drink, pee, poop, smile, coo and sleep. They may ask for feeds frequently (making you pretty much sleep-deprived and physically tired), BUT I must say, I personally don’t mind that at all.
Because as demanding as healthy small babies may be, to me they at least don’t :
– complain or sulk
– question your decisions and intentionally disobey
– talk back or be verbally rude
=)
So, frankly, I’m now just ‘enjoying my moments with my kids’. At whatever age they are now.
I’m enjoying Brie as a small baby, and I don’t wish for her to grow fast.
I’m also enjoying Anya and Vai (who are 7yo and soon-to-be 5yo) as much as I can now, because although they do give me difficult moments everyday, it is possible to communicate with each other when they’ve reached this age. They can help around (though not always willingly =) and they’re pretty much independent by now.
And, one good thing about kids their age is, they do still come to me (even after they’ve been disciplined for their misbehaviour) and that they want TO BE WITH me =) We still go out as a family ALL THE TIME, and they still want to be cuddled, kissed, and hugged.
(Read: They don’t talk on the phone with their friends for hours. And, they don’t tell me, “Mom, can I skip the family dinner tonight because I wanna catch a movie with my friends!”
…
Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, bigger kids, teenagers.
I tell myself that each and every growing up phase will have its own sets of ups and downs that we parents will face.
It’s all part and parcel of being a parent.
I also tell myself that (however difficult my situations with the older kids may sometimes get), I really should NOT wish for my kids to be in a different growing up phase than what they actually are in right now.
Because they will grow up. Fast.
Time will pass.
And, I tell myself that I should always treasure my moments with them.
That I should be grateful to God for the one little baby and two older kiddos I have in our family, RIGHT NOW.
