Do you ever try to hang on to a season in life or struggle to embrace the new season? Yep, I was one of those mommas’ that didn’t want her baby going off to Kindergarten. I remember it well! As I grasped for ways to make time slow down the minutes kept clicking and the first day of school was upon us.
I loved the messy carefree time when we noticed ladybugs, ants, made messes, took naps together, cuddled, and read books. This season of parenting was “my sweet spot.” Nothing would convince me to move willingly to the next stage of life. After all, two of my children had already been relinquished into the familiar school routine. I had no desire to release my baby and move forward with him too.
But as you often hear, there is a season for everything and wishing it not to come about just doesn’t work.
Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1
I had always been known to shed a few tears each year as the first day of school approached, but this was different. I felt as though the dam was going to break.
Of course, I had successfully sent my two daughters off into the big world without mommy – but this particular school year was different. SO different and I dreaded it.
Ethan, my very last child, would be entering ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN. Darn, I knew I should have had that fourth child even though the doctor said it was not a good idea. You are probably thinking; I am one of those moms’ all wrapped up in her kids lives with no life of her own.
To the contrary, I had a career, business, husband, and friends of my own. Okay – to be completely honest, my kids were the place I loved spending the majority of my time. Thank goodness I was able to work part-time during that season I loved so much.
Of course I wanted him to grow up to be who God created him to be, but still, I didn’t want this season of life to end or change. It was my “sweet spot season.” The season where we could stay in pj’s, attend mommy and me classes, build lego’s, and pick up his sisters together.
Do you have a season in parenting that you like the best?
As we approached that inevitable day, my struggling was intense. My method of trying to wish it away and choke back the tears just wasn’t working. My sweet friend noticed my despair and offered a bit of wisdom to carry me forward.
She ever so sweetly said, “Maree” –
“The next seasons of life are good too!”
She was someone I trusted who was two years ahead of me in this parenting journey. I had watched her embrace the next stages of life, and yes, they were good for her. So I decided to take a leap of faith and cling to her words.
I have clung to those words over the years as all of my children have advanced from one season to the next.
Just recently that same child who ended my carefree time at home by going to Kindergarten graduated from college. Once again those same feelings welled up inside. I didn’t want this season to end. Now he would enter the working world with no more carefree days plus a wallet where he can afford his own meal.
