They DO grow up
Dr. Leary and I are nearing the end of our own personal child-raising experience. With a 20-year-old son in college, and a 16-year-old son halfway through high school, hardly a day goes by that we are not confronted with reminders of their burgeoning maturity. Truly, one of the last (and most difficult) tasks of parenthood is to accept your little baby as a fellow adult.
As far away in time we are from the early experiences of being a parent, it does bring into focus what those times were all about. Why did we go through nine months of carrying an ever-heavier load around in our body, all while not feeling terribly well? Why did we go through the pain and trauma of childbirth? Why did we go into debt to get crib, monitor, bassinet, playpen, high chair, potty, car seat(s), stroller, diapers, clothes and shoes that only fit for a couple of weeks, and toysToysTOYS? Why did we endure the sleepless nights (please don't judge me when I report that Dr. Leary probably went 8 years without an uninterrupted night of sleep)? Why did we suffer the physical and emotional trauma of having a sick baby (and being their doctor doesn’t help, knowing all the rare but awful things that can go wrong)? WHY DID WE GIVE UP EVERYTHING WE ENJOY DOING TO GIVE CONTINUOUS CARE TO A LITTLE MONSTER WHO IS EXTREMELY SELFISH, OFTEN CRANKY, AND DOESN’T ALWAYS SMELL THAT GOOD?
The answer is simple: to watch that former child walk out your door, a confident, capable, healthy adult, ready to face the world. There may be tears when that occurs, but your efforts will have made the world a better place for it.
