This past week my millennium baby turned sixteen. I won huge huge mum points as her presents included the much wanted Justin Beiber tickets. Yes, despite my little white lie to her on the day the tickets were released, I had managed to get my hands on the golden ticket. When Chloe had first asked me to try and get the tickets I questioned how she planned to get to Birmingham for the concert, she answered ‘by train’ I scoffed at her and said she wouldn’t be getting a train at that time of night and she reminded me that she would by heading towards 17 and she could.
I stopped and immediately agreed with her.
Almost 17.
When I was almost 17 I was clubbing regularly, I considered myself an adult. Legally I may still have been a child but if you had tried telling me that I would ignored you, rolled my eyes and moved on.
This is where I am now in the parenting game. I have pretty much finished parenting Chloe and that seems an alien thing to say and understand. On one hand my parents are still such an important influence on my life that I know Chloe will still need my guidance and support. But the whole ‘your not doing that’ part of parenting maybe finished. I want to guide her but ultimately now she will be making her own decisions, some of which I may not agree with and I have to let her tread some of the path where she is in front and I am following her behind. I won’t be leading her, I will be supporting her. I don’t tell her when to go to bed, I can’t make her sit at the table until she eats her vegetables all I can do is make suggestions.
This time has gone so fast and when I remember holding her in my arms at the start of a new millennium I had no idea of the emotions you go through as a parent. She was my first born and I learnt how to parent from her. Those early weeks and months of gazing at your baby and experiencing that overwhelming sleep deprivation makes you think that you will forever be looking after a small, defenceless baby. However in the blink of an eye you have done the baby stage, the toddler stage, primary school finishes and secondary started. Now we are thinking and discussing A Levels, prom dresses and we have even made plans to start an ISA that is aimed at Chloe buying her first home. Woah – first home. I hope she will still live in her bedroom for a good few years yet but time creeps up on you and it is better to be prepared. Therefore wherever you are in the parenting journey, stop breathe in those little moments because I can’t believe just how fast it really goes.
12 Responses
Wow, you are supermum getting those tickets! 🙂 Seriously though, yes I’m scared at how fast it all goes too! Can’t someone invent a time machine that slows it all down?! Happy New Year xx
What a thought provoking post it is true that time goes before we know it and there is not much we can do to change that. I bet she can’t wait to see JB?
It is crazy to compare what children are allowed to do and not allowed to do at their ages as to when it was us. My brother had a lot more freedom growing up than I ever did x
firstly congrats on getting tickets to Bieber. He is definitely a favourite in our house at the moment. I know what you mean about the age thing. When I was 16 onwards I was in college, with a part time job, travelling on public transport and yes clubbing every weekend. My eldest is soon to be 14 and scares me to think how much the world has changed since I was his age. I am petrified of the thought of him doing any of what I did when he is 16 onwards
You are making me realise how fast life goes!! Talk about mum of the year for the tickets!!! x
Gosh, it’s hard to imagine my eldest being 16 (only 4 years to go! HOW is that possible?). I was the same at almost 17, if anyone had of tried telling me I was child, I would have had none of it, haha. Well done getting the Justin Beiber tickets, I myself am not a fan but my children think he’s great! Hope your daughter has a wonderful time and yes, I’m sure she will be fine on the train, too! 🙂 xx
Awwww bless her, I cant believe my 16th was 12 years ago how time flies. Congrats for getting her the tickets she wanted .
very cool! It’s nice to give our children lovely gifts. I think my daughter’s dream concert would be taylor swift. Lots of mummy points for you!
Angela
Oh you really are supermum! My children are all loving JB right now. My millennium baby turned 16 just before Christmas – it is scary how quickly time passes isn’t it? You should be very proud of your lovely girl. Kaz x
Would loved to have seen her face when you gave her the tickets!! I won’t say what I was up to at her age, I am surprised my parents let me get away with it. Such a heart felt post it made me think of how I will feel when Monkey hits 16! Good practical tip on the ISA I have no idea how the next generation are going to get on the housing ladder x
ooh feel a bit weepy butyou are so wise Em x
You’re a little luckier than I am. My son is only 14 and he’s already trying to make me see that I have little control over what he can and can’t do! 🙁