As parents, we celebrate our children’s milestones no matter when they happen. It’s always exciting the first time they take a step, say a word, or go potty on their own. I’ve loved celebrating these milestones for each of my three kids over the years, but there are some milestones that have been unexpectedly difficult.
With three kids, I’ve celebrated the last time I changed each child’s diaper (can I get an amen?!) and many other lasts over the years. I didn’t even get sad the last time I nursed my youngest! So the one that really got to me recently made me feel so silly: I was sad when we stopped using baby shampoo.
My kids all have sensitive skin, so we stuck with the baby shampoo for all of them over the last 7.5 years. But now that my daughter finally has enough hair to need real shampoo, we’ve finally ditched it.
It took me a while to figure out what it was about that particular milestone that made me sad and I finally figured it out. It’s the official end of the baby stage. Long after we’ve donated all the baby toys, the exersaucer, and the ring sling, we’ve finally finished using the last remaining baby item. I never expected it to be around our house for as long as it was, but it just worked out that way.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely done having babies. My shop has been permanently closed and I’m happy about it. I read something once that said “two kids is two kids, but three is fifteen” and I feel that almost daily! But there’s something about not having that baby smell around that feels a little sad.
Still, I’m that mom who loves every stage more than the last and I’m confident that it will continue. My 7 year old is amazing, I’m soaking in all the snuggles my 5 year old will give me, and I love the way my 3 year old’s little brain works. They’re growing and learning and becoming little humans and that’s the most fun thing to watch, even if I did have to trade in the baby days to get there.
Which milestones have made you feel extra sad? Were there any that you expected to be upset about but you weren’t?
