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My daughter, Liv, is 11. So big, yet so small. She wants hugs, yet doesn’t. She tries to be responsible. But she’s still a kid.

I check on my kids every night before I go to bed. I peak in their rooms, you know to make sure they’re breathing. Mom paranoia.

I go into Alex’s room (he’s 7) & fix his blankets or make sure he’s not falling out of bed or pulling blankets off his face.

I peak in on Liv… wait, no I don’t. Not anymore. She shut the door.

She decided she doesn’t need me to check on her anymore. So her door is now latched when I go to bed. So big, yet so small.

She’s growing up and I couldn’t be more proud.                  

She’s growing up and I couldn’t be more sad.

She’s growing up and I couldn’t be more happy.

She’s growing up and I couldn’t be more scared.

She’s my little girl. Always will be. But I have to let her go. I don’t want to. It’s a scary world out there. But we’ve taught her and continue to teach her. Hopefully she listens. Make good choices baby girl.

She’s independent. Yet dependent. Wants to do things on her own, yet needs reassurance.

Oh, Liv. You are going to do big things. Have confidence!

She wants to be president, a teacher, a baker, an astronaut, a soccer player, an artist. It changes. It stays the same. I don’t know what she will be. But I’m sure she’ll be great.

She’s kind. She’s friendly. Patient. Bratty. Happy. Bossy. A little selfish. Smart. Funny. Goofy. Sassy. Has an attitude and loves to argue. She can be a mother hen and a tween with the big eye roll.

So, I let her shut the door. I think she needs that. I try to knock. But I don’t always…

She’s a leader yet a follower. She’s polite and I fear her politeness will get her taken advantage of. She speaks up but not always. She wants to be liked but won’t let a peer knock her down. I hope she keeps that. I hope she continues to not care what her peers think. She tells us when kids are mean to her or other kids. Luckily and thankfully it doesn’t happen often to her. And she can brush it off.

Stay strong and confident baby girl. The world can be ugly, but you are not. Keep your kind heart. And be you.

So, she’s growing up and it’s hard and fun and scary and sad and wonderful. I love the different phases of raising kids. You don’t realize a phase has passed till it’s gone. Newborn, baby, toddler, kid, tween, teen, young adult, adult. How did our parents do it? They just did. How will we do it? We just will.

So, let them shut the door. But make sure you still open it. And sometimes, out of  respect and privacy … knock.

How are you handling your kids growing up? #momminainteasy  It’s a toughy, Amiright!?? Comment your thoughts or share to a friend.

Until next time….

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