You are a Happy on Purpose celebrity, Marcia! I loved the talking too - especially when they mixed up words and phrases! My daughter used to say, "I spy with my yellow eye," 😂 and "don't be a glitterbug," because she had misheard those phrases!
My kids are 6 and 8, so we’re still a bit away from the teenage years, but I found your post so refreshing! It’s not often you hear such a positive take on high schoolers (unfortunately). While every stage has its ups and downs, it does feel like the teen years often get a bad rap. I’ve found glimmers in each season so far, and reading your words genuinely made me look forward to what’s ahead. Thank you!
P.S. Great name! It’s been wild to see how popular Amelia has become. I love it!
So glad you're looking forward to the next eras of parenting! And I love your name too! I was named after Amelia Earhart because my parents couldn't agree on a name and finally landed on Amelia because my godmother was reading a book about Earhart!
Thank you for sharing this!! I definitely feel guilt about not loving the baby phase and it’s great to see this perspective! It’s a huge factor we’re weighing when it comes to if we want more kids. My kids are almost 5 and almost 3 and while this stage definitely has challenges, seeing their personalities makes it so worth it! Wish I could bottle these years up.
The way I think about it is: the baby stage is so fast it's not really what "parenting/having a family" is about in the long term. It's 1-2 years of "baby time" vs many, many years of teaching, scaffolding, and getting to know (and also learn from) the people we bring into the world (and love most!) ❤️
I’m one of those baby-lovers 😂 I was absolutely drained and exhausted by my newborn babies but truly loved the snuggles, breastfeeding, and watching their personalities develop. (I hated pregnancy, though!!) These days my kids are 6, 14 and 17. Are teens challenging? Of course. But so is my 6 year old who resists sleep with all her kindergarten might. As much as I’ve loved cradling a tiny baby, having my teen take me out for breakfast after we swam laps together at the pool is pretty great, too. I love it all❤️
I started to love parenting around 2 years old. They can talk, are so curious, and are learning new things every day and becoming themselves... it's so fun!
My son is 2.5 and the newborn phase was *not* for me. Now that his language is developing and we’re getting glimmers of independence, I’m enjoying it a lot more.
I’m with you, Amelia. I find preteen and teenage parenting a much better fit for me than under 5’s (although I do miss the more frequent cuddles). I have 11 year old and 15 year old boys and I learn so much about the world and myself from them. I found the little years so difficult and when people said, oh wait, it’s even harder as teenagers, my heart would sink. But for me, it has actually become much better as the boys have gotten older and I look forward to the next few years before they fly from the nest. Love your newsletter 💗
I was told the same thing - "big kids big problems" - which is true but if you're better at solving problems then it's not so bad! I am looking forward to the grandparent years because it will be nice to snuggle those little pudgy bodies again, but with much less stress and worry! Thank you so much for reading Nicola! ❤️
What a lovely surprise to see my comment featured this week - I feel like a celebrity or what those Cup of Jo commenters feel like🥰🥰🥰
My favourite stage was about 18 months to 4. The talking! The exploring! The cuddles! The figuring out of the world.
You are a Happy on Purpose celebrity, Marcia! I loved the talking too - especially when they mixed up words and phrases! My daughter used to say, "I spy with my yellow eye," 😂 and "don't be a glitterbug," because she had misheard those phrases!
Love the message and the new graphics!
Thank you! ❤️
My kids are 6 and 8, so we’re still a bit away from the teenage years, but I found your post so refreshing! It’s not often you hear such a positive take on high schoolers (unfortunately). While every stage has its ups and downs, it does feel like the teen years often get a bad rap. I’ve found glimmers in each season so far, and reading your words genuinely made me look forward to what’s ahead. Thank you!
P.S. Great name! It’s been wild to see how popular Amelia has become. I love it!
So glad you're looking forward to the next eras of parenting! And I love your name too! I was named after Amelia Earhart because my parents couldn't agree on a name and finally landed on Amelia because my godmother was reading a book about Earhart!
That’s so funny and a great story. Mine is a family name!
Oh Amelia, my heart! I so relate to where you are at now, even with my eldest in her 20s – which seems unbelievable! 💗
The time really does start to fly once they go to school!
I could talk to you for hours on this one! 💗🤗
Thank you for sharing this!! I definitely feel guilt about not loving the baby phase and it’s great to see this perspective! It’s a huge factor we’re weighing when it comes to if we want more kids. My kids are almost 5 and almost 3 and while this stage definitely has challenges, seeing their personalities makes it so worth it! Wish I could bottle these years up.
The way I think about it is: the baby stage is so fast it's not really what "parenting/having a family" is about in the long term. It's 1-2 years of "baby time" vs many, many years of teaching, scaffolding, and getting to know (and also learn from) the people we bring into the world (and love most!) ❤️
I’m one of those baby-lovers 😂 I was absolutely drained and exhausted by my newborn babies but truly loved the snuggles, breastfeeding, and watching their personalities develop. (I hated pregnancy, though!!) These days my kids are 6, 14 and 17. Are teens challenging? Of course. But so is my 6 year old who resists sleep with all her kindergarten might. As much as I’ve loved cradling a tiny baby, having my teen take me out for breakfast after we swam laps together at the pool is pretty great, too. I love it all❤️
It's funny - I actually loved pregnancy! It's so lovely to find the joy in all the phases - your teen swim/breakfast situation sound amazing! ❤️
I started to love parenting around 2 years old. They can talk, are so curious, and are learning new things every day and becoming themselves... it's so fun!
For me, it has kept getting better and better as they've gotten older
My son is 2.5 and the newborn phase was *not* for me. Now that his language is developing and we’re getting glimmers of independence, I’m enjoying it a lot more.
Their little personalities! So fun!
You are mom goals! 🙌💛
That is too kind! Thank you so much for reading Kristin!
Looking forward to this phase. 💓😅
You will love it - so much less hands on! 😉
The pictures of your kids 🥹☺️
They are the only ones currently "approved" for public consumption! 😉
😊
I’m with you, Amelia. I find preteen and teenage parenting a much better fit for me than under 5’s (although I do miss the more frequent cuddles). I have 11 year old and 15 year old boys and I learn so much about the world and myself from them. I found the little years so difficult and when people said, oh wait, it’s even harder as teenagers, my heart would sink. But for me, it has actually become much better as the boys have gotten older and I look forward to the next few years before they fly from the nest. Love your newsletter 💗
I was told the same thing - "big kids big problems" - which is true but if you're better at solving problems then it's not so bad! I am looking forward to the grandparent years because it will be nice to snuggle those little pudgy bodies again, but with much less stress and worry! Thank you so much for reading Nicola! ❤️
you are doing an awesome job! Congratulate Sadie on her college acceptence! We're sorry
she's not coming to 'North Cakalaky' but know she'll have the best time as she heads just a little farther to the south!
Best! Missy and Bob
You guys are the best! This way, we get to spend time in NC + NOLA! ❤️❤️🎉🎉