Arie reaches one of those milestones you just don't want your kid to reach

[janradder]

Today, as I put Arie on the bus, I asked him if I could give him a kiss goodbye. He looked at the open bus doors and the driver waiting for him and then he looked back at me.

"No thanks," he said, politely, then got on the bus to go to school.

I knew it would happen someday. I just hoped it wouldn't be so soon.

Comments

[glamberson.livejournal.com]

For me, the positivity of the first sentence far outweighs everything that follows...

[janradder.livejournal.com]

It's definitely part of growing up (I remember doing the same to my parents). Still, I can't help but feel a little sad watching him grow up.

[vee-ecks.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it sucks when it first happens, but you'll grow to appreciate it more and more as he starts turning into his own truly unique person. He kinda has to hurt you a little to do that.

[michaeljasper.livejournal.com]

Oh, ow.

Our almost-four-year-old has started walking into preschool by himself now, instead of us walking him in. He loves it, but it kinda kills us...

[janradder.livejournal.com]

I definitely feel torn -- part of me was happy because it's a sign that he's getting older but the other part is sad for that very same reason.

[vee-ecks.livejournal.com]

I know. It works out for the best and it's a great sacrifice you're making, is all I can really say.

FWIW, my son's sixteen, now, and he still likes it if I kiss him on the head when we hug, as long as I don't do it all the time in front of the wrong people.

[janradder.livejournal.com]

There's a great children's book called Umbrella about a little girl who gets a pair of boots and an umbrella for her third birthday. Part of the story is about the new gifts but the other part, written from a parent's perspective, is about the girl growing up. The day she finally gets to use the umbrella is also the first day she walks to school without holding anyone's hand.

I have to say, I definitely feel torn about this morning, not that there's anything I could do to stop him from growing up even if I wanted to.

[janradder.livejournal.com]

That's sweet. I don't think I let my mom do that, at least not willingly.

[barthanderson.livejournal.com]

Sure. Just pick up a letter opener and stab it in my heart, Jan. Stab it right the hell in there.

[haddayr.livejournal.com]

FWIW, Rachael was THRILLED to hear this -- it means on one level, his emotional development is right on target.

[janradder.livejournal.com]

See -- you, too, can look forward to this one day!

[janradder.livejournal.com]

I agree, and part of me was genuinely happy. He's had a few moments lately that have shown his emotional development is on track.

[geniusofevil.livejournal.com]

:(

Did you tell him you would cry if he said no? That still works with mine.

[janradder.livejournal.com]

No, but the worst part was that he wouldn't even say goodbye or wave back to me when he was on the bus.

[geniusofevil.livejournal.com]

man, that's rough

[janradder.livejournal.com]

Yeah.