In the Pocket

I am in the pocket of my parenting.

That beautiful place where I always thought I would love and where I always wanted to be.

The place where there are no toddlers and no teenagers. Where there are no diapers but no tampons either.  Where the kids have their teeth, but they don’t have zits. Where everyone sleeps in their own bed, but no one has their own phone.

That place where my kids are independent enough but still need me every day.  Where they are young enough to  want kisses and hugs and snuggles, but old enough to buckle their own seatbelts.  Where they can walk by themselves, but I can still carry them if I need to.   The place where they can do their own homework, but I still understand their math if they need help.

The place where we can fit on a couch snuggled together reading books and where everyone is in bed by 9:00 PM, but no one is up in the middle of the night or up too early in the morning.  Where popcorn and a movie at home on a Friday night are still considered fun.  Where we can actually have some deep, important conversations about meaningful things in life, but where everyone is still equally entertained by an episode of Full House.  Where the kids actually ask to hear stories about my life and where they want my advice and help.

Where problems aren’t too big and kids aren’t too small.

MY pocket of parenting.  The place where I am most comfortable.

Babies weren’t my thing, but I survived and learned to love different parts of that phase. And when the time comes I will accept teenage life.  Just like I made it through nursing and diapers and  strollers and binkis, I will learn to love and appreciate my teenagers too and what that phase brings.   But for now, I am right where I want to be.

I heard this quote from the finale of  “The Office”: “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.”

Well, I know I am in the good old days.  To be there is a blessing, and to know right where I am is a gift.  I am going to slow down time and enjoy my summer (and the next year or two) in the pocket of parenting.