I don't want to grow big

Parenting comes with a big learning curve. Even with four young children, I sometimes forget that growing up is hard for little ones. We just think they are throwing a tantrum or trying to rattle our nerves, but really, it is a challenge for them to deal with all the emotions and complexities of life. I was reminded of this tonight when I was putting Becca to bed. I was trying to get her to stay in her bed and go to sleep, and I was sitting in the hall waiting to herd her back to her room if she came out, but she just sat on the floor and cried. I asked if she wanted me to tuck her in bed, but she didn't say anything. Finally she said, "I don't want to grow big mommy, I just want to stay little". I think she is really feeling the transition from babyhood to preschool age. She turned 3 a few weeks ago and life has been changing a lot for her lately. She is potty training, next week she will be in Sunbeams instead of nursery at church, and in general she is just getting older and definitely no longer a baby. I get frustrated with her tantrums and her attitude, but after tonight I think I will be able to respond with more empathy and remember what growth spurts felt like, and how sometimes you just need an extra hug and a little extra understanding.

Charlie just lost his other bottom front tooth. It fell out during primary. I am the Primary music leader and I was doing singing time and he was trying to get my attention. Finally I called on his franticly waving hand and asked him what he needed to share, and he pointed to his empty space in his mouth. On the way home from church he lost his tooth in the car, so he didn't have it to put under his pillow. I told him he could just write a note and the tooth fairy would come. He woke up this morning and he said, "the tooth fairy didn't come". Oh, that forgetful toothfairy, that wasn't the first time she forgot. I asked if he remembered to write the note and he said no. Well, now we know why the toothfairy didn't come, there was no note and no tooth. Lucky tooth fairy that she gets a second chance to get it right.