On my daughter’s fourteenth birthday, I shared two images on social media: one of her today and another from her toddler years. I captioned it, “How time flies!” Later, I discovered she had also posted a picture, tagging it with “finally14.” The contrast between my nostalgic reflection and her eagerness for this milestone was striking. For me, the years had passed swiftly, while for her, they represented a significant phase of growth.
These days, coaxing my teenage daughter out of the house before noon on weekends is a challenge. She enjoys sleeping in, savoring breakfast, and often retreats to her bed to scroll through texts, watch videos, or take quizzes. I can hardly believe it was just yesterday when she would excitedly approach our door, shoes in hand, asking, “Out?” ready for adventure.
There’s a saying that goes, “The days are long, but the years are short.” I vividly recall a beautiful autumn day in the park when my toddler and I collected acorns for hours. She was so engrossed in gathering them that she filled her pockets and even stuffed some in her shirt. When she could carry no more, we counted and returned them to her pockets, over and over again, delighting in the simple joy of the moment.
Now, as I tuck my eleven-year-old son into bed, I cherish these moments, knowing they’re fleeting. I marvel at how he has grown, stretching across his twin bed, a far cry from the tiny infant who weighed just over a pound at birth. I jokingly remind him of a time he exclaimed, “You’re bigger than the bathtub!” and we share a laugh. But I know soon enough, the eye-rolling and sarcasm that come with the teenage years will be upon us.
Sure enough, my son recently turned thirteen, prompting my daughter to exclaim in disbelief, “Is William turning thirteen?!” Even she found it hard to fathom. As I responded, “Yes, soon I’ll have no little kids, only teenagers,” I couldn’t help but chuckle at their reactions—my daughter apologizing and my son wishing me “Good luck!” While raising teenagers can be challenging, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. Isn’t it our duty as parents to guide our children from infancy through childhood and into the teenage years? I find myself missing the days of young children, but I embrace the growth and changes that come with this stage of life.
As my mother often remarked, the years seem to fly by faster as we age. I now understand that sentiment all too well. Living in a college town, I witness the bustling sidewalks each fall, the traffic increasing as students return, only to see everything slow down in May as they head home for summer. The intervals between these seasons feel shorter each year.
My daughter just completed tenth grade, and my son wrapped up seventh. I realize that in the blink of an eye, high school and middle school will be over, and they’ll be preparing for college. I remind myself of this when I find myself in disagreements over makeup, clothing, or screen time—that these teenage years are fleeting.
So, I choose not to wish away this time. Instead, I savor each moment, even the challenging ones, and remind myself not to blink.
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In summary, while the teenage years can be filled with challenges, they also offer unique joys and opportunities for connection. Embracing this stage of life allows us to cherish the fleeting moments we share with our children.
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