From the moment our kids are born, they have milestones they are supposed to achieve. Of course, the internet is jam-packed with articles about when babies are supposed to roll, sit up, and babble. Or when toddlers are supposed to use open cups and start singing their ABCs. Don’t forget about the 20 things kids should be able to do before kindergarten.
Sometimes, these articles can weigh you down. Your brain starts asking – is my kid strong enough, smart enough, or ready enough? I think I speak for most moms when I say we already have enough guilt and worry as it is!
So, this list has nothing to do with those milestones. This is a list of all the kid milestones I’ve experienced with my children that have left me tearing up with love and pride at the most unexpected of times.
Here are 9 kid milestones I have experienced in motherhood so far:
First Time Playing Marco Polo
On a recent vacation, we took our kids to the same place in Florida I used to visit as a child. One day, during what felt like hour 19 of swimming in the pool, I tossed out the idea of learning Marco Polo. How cool that in a matter of minutes, my 6-year-old was splashing around in the same exact pool that I did as a child, trying to sneakily hide by the same exact railings I did as a child, while he replied “Polo” to my “Marco”.
First Grass-Stained Knees
Sometimes parenting feels like 80% laundry. No matter how much you do it, it just never ends. So, I found myself surprised to actually be smiling while sorting the whites from the darks because I realized I needed to reach for the stain spray. I came across my daughter’s first grass-stained knees on that day’s discarded pants. She and her brother had been playing baseball in the backyard. I’m hoping she made it to home plate safe with what must have been an epic slide judging by her green knees.
First time my son spiked up the front of his hair with gel
Getting ready for a family dinner out one night, my son watched curiously as my husband got himself together. After a shower and a shave, next up was his hair. Before I know it, I see my then 4-year-old son carefully combing his hair forward, adding in maybe a bit too much product and wildly spiking the front pieces up. He caught me watching and just said “Cool dude, right?” with a big thumbs up.
First french braid in my daughter’s hair
As a baby, our daughter’s hair grew so slowly. She rubbed a bald patch into the back of her head as an infant from always sleeping the same way which didn’t help the matter. Eventually, the patchiness filled in and some brown curls emerged. A few summers back, while sitting at the beach, I started to play with her damp, sandy, sunscreen-coated hair. After a few minutes, I looked down and realized I had done it – there was finally enough hair for a French braid! It was a little scraggly and it wasn’t my best work, but gosh darn it, it was a braid. I love looking back on that moment, especially as I methodically brush through tangle after tangle in her long, full hair today.
First love note from my son
The inside of my closet door in my bedroom is plastered with love notes from my kids. I will never forget the very first one that came home from school. My son happily presented me with a note that read “Luv U Mom, Luv Henry”. Drawn next to it was a small stick figure boy reaching out a super long arm to a taller stick figure lady and they were holding hands. Cue the heart explosion! Since then, each and every love note from my kids has meant the world to me. I know these notes won’t come forever, so for now, I cherish them all.
First time playing rock, paper, scissors together
My son recently asked if he could teach me a game that he learned during recess. Balling up his fist, he asked me to do the same. “Then you hit it on your other hand three times and either make your hand into a rock or piece of paper or a pair of scissors and say shoot,” he proudly explained. It was awesome to see how excited he was to teach me something “new”. And it felt like a major classic kid milestone to now have this game in his repertoire of ways to pick who goes first! Now let’s see if this puts a stop to sibling squabbles over turn-taking…I’m doubtful!
First time they run ahead on a hike
We really enjoy hiking with our kids. What began as one kid in a hiking carrier and the other holding dad’s hand has turned into full-on kid nature sprints with me and my husband just trying to keep up. I love finding ways for our kids to safely push their limits and experiment with risk. Recently on a hike, both of our kids ran ahead on a trail that we have hiked many times before. As the path curved left, I saw them happily exploring…and then I didn’t. Still, within earshot, I could hear their laughs and the crunch of twigs on the path as they hastily made their way. It was such a great chance for them to test their limits and explore their independence.
First time you can send both kids into the backyard alone
After years of feeling like I had to keep eyes on my kids for every single waking (and sometimes even non-waking) hour, it felt extraordinary to finally be able to send them both out to the backyard to play. The first time, I left the slider door open so their voices could carry through the screen. I set up my cutting board by the window so I could still sneak peeks while dicing that evening’s onions. It was freeing for me and the kids!
First time hearing your parenting words back
At a recent allergy testing appointment for my son, I needed to bring along my daughter too. My son looked a bit pale as he awaited the skin testing. It’s just a quick poke, but of course, the anticipation is always the worst part! My daughter took her older brother’s hand, looked him in the eyes, and said, “It’s okay to feel scared, I am here with you.” She spent the next few minutes loving on him, offering to rub his back, and generally reassuring him. You could see his fear melt away a bit, and I could feel my heart melting at the same time. They really do listen to the things we say.
So the next time you get bogged down with worry about your child perfectly meeting predetermined milestones, stop and think about the special, more personal milestones that they have met. I’m guessing you’ll be left feeling as proud as can be of your little one.
