Someday they’ll stop calling me Daddy. My name will change to Dad. I won’t mourn that day. There will be, I hope, benefits to them becoming self-sufficient. Maybe I’ll even catch up on my reading.
In the next few weeks, Buster and Big Man will turn four and two, respectively. There are no more babies in the house. I’m happy I haven’t had to heat a bottle in a year, and I look forward to the day the last one says goodbye to diapers. Maybe we’ll take a vacation with the diaper money.
I appreciate all the things Big Brother can do for himself, from making a snack to going to the bathroom without me having to know about it, although sometimes he still likes to announce his intentions. I’m sure I’ll enjoy feeling less like a servant in my own home when the little boys can do things for themselves. I may even gain weight from all the sitting down for more than two minutes in a row I plan on doing.
I imagine being able to go places without someone falling asleep in the car, or what really blows my mind: going places by myself. The really fine thing will be spending time with each individually, free of the competition that comes so naturally between them and turns them into a raucous mob. I’m looking forward to talking instead of shouting over the din.
The raucous mob does settle down from time to time, but always in Daddy’s chair.
I look forward to many good things that will come with my boys getting older, yet I am old enough to know I can wait for those things. They will come whether I appreciate the days preceding them or not. It’s best to appreciate all the days; they never come around again.
There are days when keeping on top of all these boys’ needs runs both parents ragged. In spite of this, my wife would go on having babies forever if that were possible. I’m too feeble for that, but I will concede that nobody hugs quite as good as toddler. I will further admit that nobody’s mind matches the waterfall of discovery of a preschooler’s. And while I’m at it, nobody’s imagination is more entertaining than a grade schooler’s.
As much as I look forward to more peace, I’m in no hurry to say goodbye to toddler giggles or preschool jokes or grade school stories. I can’t hold onto them forever, and I have no desire to. I only want to enjoy them to their fullest while they are all around me. I want to experience the things yet to come, but I can be patient for those seasons to have their place.
Time doesn’t need my help. It moves too quickly already. Sometimes it’s easy to anticipate the future at the expense of the present. I hope to catch myself when I fall toward this trap; though I will not mourn the day I become just Dad, I will, a little bit, mourn the loss of the day when I was Daddy.
Snoozing on the Sofa 
You have very lucky little boys, Scott.
Thanks. But can they use that luck to win the Lotto for me? That’s the question.
Very well said . . . can completely relate.
Thank you. I’m sure it’s not an usual thing for parents to contemplate.
When someone eventually calls you “Grandpa,” you’ll enjoy a whole new identity!
Let’s emphasize the word “eventually.”
Beautifully written Scott. As a mom of big boy (30 yrs old), I can attest to the fact that their hugs are the best feeling on the planet!
Thanks, Lynn. By the time mine are 30, they’ll have to hug me to keep me upright.
I know just how you feel! Those little milestones tend to gallop away from you far too quickly.
Maybe I need to build a little milestone corral or hobble them or something.
Don’t do anything too drastic, just tell them not to grow up too fast!
Think they’ll listen?
It’s the greatest thing to watch them turn into independent adults who doesn’t need me to pee. It’s also the worst thing to watch them turn into independent adults who doesn’t need me to pee.
And this conundrum is called parenting.
I wish parenting would make up its mind.Should I stand by for pee or not.
You should. At least for a while. Then you should just stand and pee.
Best advice I’ve had all day.
I’m there for my friends. When they need me. Unless they want to pee.
True friendship has no limits.
Aw, Scott, this is heart touching. All we have is this moment and as it is these “moments” just move way too fast. I explained to someone just this morning that you really don’t know what you have until it is gone. Enjoy your boys even if that means no privacy, loud noise, and drop dead fatigue. *clearing throat* You are not alone. I too have the same “problems” you do yet I know someday I will have ME time even though huge sadness will be in my heart from what was. Yes, enjoy the moment. 🙂
Doing my best to keep up with the whirlwind, Amy. Doing my best.
I know you are. I’m not even able to imagine being in your shoes. Three young boys as active as you have, Scott, would have my nerves screaming. I prefer my quiet. Hang in there!!! 🙂 ❤
Consider me hanging.
“Nobody hugs quite as good as toddler”. Great post.
Nope. Nobody does. Thanks.
Well said! I sure miss those days. I am a phase or two nearer the end than you. Our kids are all adults now and I miss being important to them, of being the source of their fun and food. Luckily, they have created a few little huggers to enjoy.
Ah, grandchildren. I hear you can send them back where they came from when you get tired of them. What a wonderful invention.