My son is growing up…not sure that I like it
Last weekend, our family attended a Halloween party. It was just next door, mostly family or friends-of-friends, including a couple of teenagers. When I saw them, I wondered if they would have much fun that night. The girl was pretty and wearing a cheerleader uniform. I don’t actually remember what the boy was wearing. My son took a look at the cheerleader and then seemed shy. First sign of a potential crush? Perhaps.
We walked around then left him upstairs with his playmate, another 4-year old, and they were watching Scooby Doo. He wandered down to check on me and all was normal. But then the two preschoolers came back and somehow Emily, the teenager, joined them upstairs. I went to see what they were doing and my son, ever so politely, asked me to go back downstairs. He was done with me. It was a funny and sad moment all at once.
Also this week, during our nighttime routine, he managed to tell my husband that he did not need his help with tooth brushing. While we celebrate his ability to manage tasks or learn new skills, it was how the message was delivered that stopped my husband in his tracks. “I don’t need your help.”
I joke that our son is 4 going on 14. I’d like him to stay 4 a bit longer.
