Photo by: Eddy Van 3000

This Beautiful End of Summer with My Little Girl

by Genny of "My Cup 2 Yours"
Photo by: Eddy Van 3000

As I write this, my daughter is playing Monopoly with a friend, and my son is in his room driving a remote control car around.

I just finished doing some writing for C2BU and was wrapping up a few things on my computer when I looked at my calendar and saw that I have a school check-in day with my daughter at her middle school this week.

Middle school.

I know I’ve mentioned the fact that I can hardly believe she’s in sixth grade, but it seems like as the date gets closer, I can’t even think about it without getting choked up.

I’m not emotional about it because I’m sad.

I’m not sad.

I’m just…emotional.

It’s the same way I felt when I walked her into preschool, her tiny hand holding tightly onto mine, her thumb in her mouth because she was a little unsure.

I felt like this her first day of kindergarten too, as I hurried away after dropping her off, hiding my tears under my sunglasses, hoping nobody would notice that I was crying.

It’s not that I want her to stay young, and it’s not that I don’t want her to be away from home.

That’s not it.

It’s just that I’m amazed

and overwhelmed

and sentimental

about the fact that she used to be a tiny baby in my arms,

mostly sleeping or crying,

and now she’s on the brink of becoming a teenager,

then a woman.

In seven years, I’ll have raised a woman.

See? Here come the tears again.

“Mommy, we’re going outside,” she just called.

They must be done with Monopoly.

“Okay,” I say, masking the emotion in my voice.

I remember when she was younger and I used to have to go outside with her.

I remember when I’d bring a blanket out on the grass and let her crawl around and play.

I remember the time when she was two and ate a flower and I called poison control in a panic.

And the time she was four and finger-painted hand prints all over our white Labrador when I had gone inside to get the phone.

The memories…

they make me laugh and cry.

There are so many of them.

And I know there are more to come.

I know that.

It’s not like her going into middle school means my journey as a mom is over.

Really, in so many ways, it’s just beginning.

Maybe that’s what my emotion is about…

the changing season,

the new phase.

Endings and beginnings.

It’s just that I love her so much.

And with the school year starting in a week, and the fact that I know by now how fast the days, months, and years fly by,

I’m acutely aware of this time,

this moment,

this beautiful end of summer

with my little girl.

Are you entering a new season too? How old are your kids and what’s changing for them…and for you?

Genny is a mom, author, blogger, book reviewer and coffee lover. Stop by her blog and share a cup!

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26 Comments

My scholarly 18 year old daughter just started college. It is absolutely surreal that she could be of the age to be classified as an adult. Fortunately for me, she opted to go to the local community college, so she is still living at home. She really didn't feel ready to go away to school just yet - and I was it no hurry to push her to do so.

My 13 year old son, on the other hand, was just telling me the other day how great it will be to be in high school next year...

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you really put it in the right words...."not sad" just emotional...only a MOM would understand that....thanks for sharing- I have twin 4 yr olds & a 6 yr old that just statred 1st grade- dosen't get home till 4:30!!! blows my mind AND was a wake up call for my twins- i chose to keep them in their preschool but only 2 days a week b/c I know how fast it all goes....funny- we "can't wait to sleep a full nt..." be careful what we wish for !!!

Wow.. it really is amazing how you have a little baby one day, you wake up the next, and she's soo much bigger. My daughter is on.y 8 mos old, but its official, I'm "Da Da" and its awesome to hear my little Nissi say it! We need to enjoy the best we can all of the time we have with out little ones, because we turn around, and they are having kids. Life is a blessing

Beautiful post and great comments! What a perfect way to describe it "I'm not sad, I'm emotional." I just love it.
I have a 12 year old son on 7th grade and a 6 months old baby. I'm trying to enjoy every minute I spend with both of my boys.

Thanks for sharing!

Boy, can I relate! I have four children. My youngest is a junior in high school this year,and it hit me, "This all ends very soon." No more school functions to attend. No more parent/teacher conferences. No more Homecoming dresses. It all ends for me in two short years. I think with each of my kids, I had a little bit of that feeling with each new school. But, now, I'm finally to the end. My oldest son is getting married in days. My second oldest graduates from college in May...

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Simply and beautifully put. I choke up everytime I think about my little guy growing up. I am not sad as you said, but emotional. My 4th grader still holds my hand and swings it back & forth when I pick him up from school as we walk to the car. He still asks me, "mom, did you pack a capri sun for me" everyday and I say, "of course!" I still write little notes to him and put them in his backpack and he still draws pictures for me...

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WOW. wonderful article. I just kept thinking about my own little girl (whom turns 3 in 2 weeks!) Unbelievable how time flies. Just to think this time next year she'll be preparing to go to kindergarden! In my mind it wasn't too long ago when i was freaking out over a toilet saying "holy $#$ WE'RE PREGNANT!! LOL. yes, it seems like only yesterday. But, I've got to say, i dont remember life with out her. Nor do i want to.

This is exactly what I am thinking everyday not only about my daughter, who started kindergarden this year (i can relate to the part where it said that she hurried as she walked her daughter into school on her first day, hiding the tears behind her sunglasses, cuz thats exactly what happened to me)but for my 2 sons, ages 10 and 3. time goes by so fast when you are doing your normal routine that you lose touch on what is really important.. i try to cherish the little things..
lov the story :)

Thank you so much for this wonderful article and the comments.Genny is such a good writer.She has such a beautiful way of expressing emotions.She has really put motherhood into words.

I am writing to all the young mothers' who were and are emotional to their children getting older, well I have been there and now I am a grand mother, through this turn and that my daughter came back home after moving out.. she was pregnant with and has had a wonderful healthy boy.. My daughter has a full time job, is going to school at ASU. I had the joyous job of staying home with both of my children, now I keep a grandson here a few days a week plus .....

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I read this last year and kept it. It's so beautiful and I love the emotion in it. My daughter started 4th grade this week. I miss her so much when she is at achool. Our son is 8 and started 3rd grade. Our youngest is 1 and 1/2. I don't want these precious year to end. So glad I've been able to be a SAHM. I love them soooo much.

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