When my daughter was just a toddler, my friend’s son turned ten. As I welcomed him to the double digits I thought, when my youngest turns ten, I’ll be so sad. My little ones brought me so much joy, I didn’t want life any other way.
It’s funny how I latch onto things. I calculated that on that same year my second son would become a teen. With their birthdays just days apart, it stuck in the back of my mind that on that year I would grieve. I didn’t see how gradual the process would be – I also didn’t see how much I would love each stage of motherhood, how much I would love having a ten year old girl.
With her big day around the corner, she called me into her room one night.
No, we couldn’t convince this guy to come to the party!
“I want a rainforest theme for my party.” I smiled, remembering when I was about her age I dreamed of turning our
basement into a jungle. Now I imagined myself inventing jungle decorations for my daughter and coming up with monkey games, but she surprised me. The next night, when I tucked her in she said, “Can we buy rainforest stuffies and hide them? Then my friends can find them and each take one home.”
Her ideas kept coming. For years I had planned her parties, now she was moving into this role.
Growing up meant she had new abilities and her birthday party was when I saw them shine. We decorated the living room with plants and stuffies and painted a jungle sign for the door. And she planned all the games.
I had thought when her tenth birthday came, I’d be hiding tears as I lit the candles. Instead, I was beaming with pride. Rather than putting on her party, I was coming alongside her and bringing her dream into being.
That’s what I love about parenting, nurturing my children as their gifts unfold.
I was amazed to discover my daughter is a passionate party planner.
As soon as the party was over, she started talking about her theme for her next birthday. This past year, instead of fearing grief, I’ve been able to embrace having fun with my daughter. I knew she’d have lots of ideas for her eleventh birthday party, so we started planning early. Over the next post or two, I’ll share how we combined our At Home Art class with birthday party plans.
And now that she’s eleven I can attest, I wasted a lot of worry – I loved having a ten year old girl.
Such a touching post Charity. 🙂
Thanks, mom. Preparing for the party reminded me of the creative activities you did with me when I was a girl and the fun parties you put on!
Charity, I love this! As a kid that loved planning parties, too, I especially appreciate your daughter’s enthusiasm and creativity! What are stuffies?
Fun to hear that you loved planning parties too, Pearl. Stuffies are stuffed animals;) My daughter’s collection grows at each birthday party.
Can’t believe she’s 11! Wow! Sounds like a great party. I’m sure it will keep getting better and better too …
K
I know, 11! I agree with you and Norma, it’s going to keep getting better and better.
Charity, what a heartfelt post. I remember wondering how I would feel as my kids entered each new stage. Like you, I found I loved each one. Now, I love that they have families of their own and the grandchildren are super, extra special. Enjoy each moment, each stage for it really does go by in a flash.
Norma, so encouraging to hear that you continue to enjoy each stage of motherhood. That gives me hope that I will too!