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Kids develop at their own pace

November 19, 2014 By Emily 20 Comments

My boy isn’t a baby anymore.

And it took me by surprise.

I know that sometimes you blink, and miss those moments. Those moments your children grow up.

I’m so used to helping my little boy climb things at the park. Lifting him over obstacles. Reassuring him that mummy’s here. Mummy’s here. It’s okay, mummy’s here, I’ll help you.

It took a moment of distraction for him to show me he’s more than capable of doing it all by himself.

(And then a moment of rapt attention for me to capture these photos!)

I can climb! By myself!
Seriously, mum, all by myself!
I can even balance… and then climb again!

Often, kids are more capable than we give them credit for. Maybe it’s because we try so hard to protect them. Maybe it’s because they grow up so fast that we just don’t realise how many developmental milestones they click through in such a short time.

Maybe it’s because we spend all day, every day with them, and it’s easier to think of them as being the same people they were yesterday. And the day before. And the day… you get my drift.

But they do change. Every day. Always growing, always changing. Always developing, always evolving.

Always precious.

Have you ever underestimated your child’s capabilities?

Filed Under: Family life Tagged With: children, development, milestone

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Comments

  1. Six Little Hearts says

    November 19, 2014 at 8:09 am

    Don’t you just wish that they would stay little forever?
    Were you at SMK? I may have seen you there? On a dinosaur ride???? Or I may be very mistaken!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      December 1, 2014 at 8:42 pm

      Sometimes, and then I watch my older one learning at lightning pace and picture my little fella at that stage. Even though I know he’ll get there in the blink of an eye!
      No, we couldn’t get to SMK. Looked like a fantastic time!

      Reply
  2. Min@WriteoftheMiddle says

    November 19, 2014 at 8:22 am

    What a little cutie he is. There are going to be a lot more moments like this ahead for you 😉 x

    Reply
    • Emily says

      December 1, 2014 at 8:42 pm

      Constantly!!

      Reply
  3. Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad says

    November 19, 2014 at 8:31 am

    I am constantly in awe of what my Vicklets are achieving. Trying to be big kids constantly before their time, or is it? I am always more surprised by my second. He seems to be super capable and willing to give things a shot. Maybe it’s a second baby thing??? Motherhood never stands still that’s for sure, in more ways than one.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      December 1, 2014 at 8:44 pm

      That’s so true. I think it’s because the time is filled so much more second time around – always doing things, always busy, and whoops I missed the moment he rolled/sat up/walked/talked/went to uni!

      Reply
  4. Leanne says

    November 19, 2014 at 11:50 am

    Still evolving (and precious) at 15. It’s a wondrous journey watching them grow.
    Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit

    Reply
    • Emily says

      December 1, 2014 at 8:44 pm

      It will never stop, will it? And I’m so privileged to watch it happen.

      Reply
  5. joeh says

    November 19, 2014 at 11:56 am

    very true!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      December 1, 2014 at 8:44 pm

      Thanks Joe.

      Reply
  6. Annaleis Topham says

    November 19, 2014 at 3:57 pm

    I remember my little boy calling out to me from the top of some equipment one day. First I was worried that he would fall then I was amazed that he could do it on his own. Be proud mummy.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      December 1, 2014 at 8:46 pm

      Yep, just got to let it happen. I’m trying to say ‘Careful!’ and ‘Do you need help?’ less often and ‘Well done!’ a bit more.

      Reply
  7. Deborah says

    November 19, 2014 at 5:13 pm

    He looks quite confident when setting out! I hope you didn’t distract him with your photography!!!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      December 1, 2014 at 8:47 pm

      Nope, no distracting. One-track mind!

      Reply
  8. Alicia - OneMotherHen says

    November 19, 2014 at 10:40 pm

    I’m often shocked with what my kids could do when I wasn’t looking! I see it in other peoples kids too, but sometimes parents can bit over cautious and would take them off before they could achieve. That is entirely there prerogative though 🙂

    Reply
    • Emily says

      December 1, 2014 at 8:50 pm

      I try very hard not to be that mother! But my boy sets his sights on something then just does it, without seeing what else is around him. Lots of heart in throat moments.

      Reply
  9. Carla says

    November 21, 2014 at 7:46 am

    Clever boy! He looks so grown up now. I’m always underestimating what my boys can do, they surprise me everyday!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      December 1, 2014 at 8:50 pm

      Can’t wait to see them soon! I know I’ll be shocked at how big all the kids are.

      Reply
  10. Lisa Wood says

    November 21, 2014 at 6:15 pm

    oh and they grow so fast, in a blink of an eye they are grown up and moved out of home….and yes I have been guilty of under estimating them all at different stages of their lives.
    Now I wished they were still little for me to be there for them 🙂

    Reply
    • Emily says

      December 1, 2014 at 8:51 pm

      Yes, I’m at that good time. Trying to soak up all the hugs and kisses before he gets too cool for school 😉

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Emily

I parent. I write. I blog. I play with words and numbers in my head. Constantly. It's crowded in there.

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