One unexpected result of becoming a parent is that I’ve become the surprisingly frequent recipient of negative comments like these:
She’s crawling? Watch out – your life is about to get much harder!
Enjoy this time. It’s the easiest it’s going to be.
Enjoy the non-walking stage while you can. You’ll have your hands full once she’s walking.
Oh? She’s walking! How fun but watch out, it will be so much harder now.
I realize that these comments are not malicious in intent but they all manage to convey one real message:
Dread what’s coming. What you have now is the best. There’s nothing better to come.
Really? These sorts of comments really frustrate me because there’s no stopping development change. Ellie will be walking competently soon. If she doesn’t, then that’s a problem. Why should I dread something happening when it is the right thing for her to do?
Besides, I love each new stage as it comes. I have loved watching her learn how to eat. I’ve loved watching her learn how to crawl, how to knee-walk, and now, how to walk.
I just don’t think dreading the inevitable (and good) developments is helpful, productive, or a good use of my time.
This is how I respond to those kinds of comments:
I love that she’s crawling now! Before, she was dependent on me for amusement but now that she’s crawling, she can go somewhere else if she’s bored!
I’m actually really looking forward to her being able to walk. She’s a heavy baby and it will be nice for her to be able to walk some places on her own.
My mother says that she loved her kids as teenagers and now as adults and I’m anticipating that I will too.
Change? Growing up? Becoming the person that God has created her to be?
Yes, please!
Thoughts prompted by reading this article.
Salmon and Souvlaki 
Well put!! Every day is a new experience. Treasure them, they go way to fast!
Thanks Marti!
In a way, it’s true – as little ones gain new skills, they present new challenges to their parents. Sometimes it’s tough to stay one step ahead! But I believe we have a choice as to how we accept that challenge. With dread, irritation, and/or resentment, or with anticipation, delighting in this precious gift we have from God. Obviously, there will be times when the latter won’t be true, 🙂 but we can choose it as our bottom line, our premise.
You’re right Mom – every new stage is tough. But I like what you say that we have to start out with anticipation and delight- otherwise we’ll never get there!
I too was surprised how many people kept telling me to enjoy this “easy” stage while it lasted cause it only got worse. I don’t doubt that each new stage presents new challenges (along with new fun things, of course!), but you just grow out of one set of challenges and blessings into another. Totally agreed….no need to dread that kind of change.