Cherish the time

Do you remember when your oldest child was your only child? How scared you were when you realized you had no formal instruction on how to raise a child. Do you remember that feeling of love and warmth when he/she would fall asleep in your arms and the peace/joy you felt when nobody else was around?

Then your second child came. Maybe he/she was the complete opposite of your first. You knew you would make less mistakes because you made them all with your first one. As your older child became more independent, you were able to focus more time on your youngest.

Then comes child 3 and/or 4. These are a piece of cake because 1 and 2 have made you a pro. You're not as strict on 3 and 4 because you have realized that some things just aren't worth the hassle. Maybe they are easier to raise or maybe they are the tyrants, either way, the family is complete. Now you just hope and pray that you can raise them to be smart and responsible young adults.

As I sit hear and I hear my oldest drag his body to the shower, I realize that one day soon, he will be graduating and hopefully off to some source of higher education. Then the others will follow. Before long, my wife and I will be wondering where all that time went.

My point is, teenager or not, little kid or not.....cherish the time you have. When you look at your oldest, don't forget that little child they once were. All that you have been through together. With each of your kids today, remember those times when they were so little and all you wanted to do was cuddle with them. Time passes people!! It passes us by before we know it. Hug those kids! Take time to talk to them. Even if you have no interest in what they want to talk about, listen! Whether they admit it or not, they want that relationship with you.

So as your teenagers are rushing out the door, remember not too long ago how little they were. Cherish the time you have together. Make the most of it. More importantly, MAKE THE TIME!!! It is something you will never regret.
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