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Stage 1: Me, have kids? Really? Your biological alarm goes off. Every baby is unbeliveably cute. Am I ready for kids? They are pretty darn cute. Why not? Plus, making babies is quite fun! Phase 2: Pregnant or not? The missed period - am I, aren't I? Soon confirmed by the morning trips to the bathroom to meet with you new acquaintances Ralph and Huey. But it is all worth it when you feel that first flutter - was that a kick? Was that his, you-know, on the ultrasound? A few months later and you know all about those kicks - and the elbows. Plus backache, piles, swollen ankles, varicose veins - who was responsible for getting you into this state???? Baby arrives with loud fan fare. You swear at your husband and swear you can't take the pain of giving birth ever again. You spot her cute grin and your heart melts. Stage 3: Your life has changed forever. Sleep is a long lost art. Your nipples kill and you are can't stand the endless dieting. Despite the discomfort your baby is worth every moment. She smiles at discovering her little toes. She tastes them. You get the bottle because she must be hungry. A long list of first time events unfolds. She sits, crawls, stands, and walks to you all on her own. She can eat solid food and go to the potty. You are filled with immense pride. That is, until she has a tantrum, but the tantrum is only temporary. Nursery rhymes and pat-a-cake - crucial for child development but, all too often these days, delegated to the TV. First kindergarten or school: a mixed blessing. Where did my baby go? Phase 4 Playgrounds, parties and alphabets. She is no longer your little baby. She goes to school. She wears a uniform that makes her look so independent. The bathroom humor fills her hours. Who knew going potty could be so hilarious? Common "firsts" evolve to the first best friend and the first time facing rejection. She loves to run around the playground and ends up with bumps and scrapes. She realizes that life is not always fair. How hard it is to let them go - but you can't protect them from everything. Phase 5: Time for academics Play times fall by the wayside when they have to learn the alphabet and addition. It may be easier for your child or it may feel like the teacher is speaking Chinese. If your child succeeds easily you have a fairly smooth ride ahead of you. If your child has trouble then you will have many potholes on the road called "school". Despite the tense moments, you will always have the cute moments such as when she spies Santa or wants a frilly doll for her birthday. Remember they are not babies. They need to follow rules and do their chores. Stage 6: She hits middle school. They hit puberty and their body will be changing every day. The girls hang with the girls and the boys hang with the boys. Girls are too silly for boys. Girls think boys are not mature. Your fashion sense will be out of style no matter what. No one wears the clothes you have in your wardrobe and your daughter will point this out to you. You will wonder what fashion icon your child is emulating. Language. Well cool. The training bra and makeup come on. Puberty wreaks havoc on voices. Phase 7: They hit the social scene. Boys and girls view each other differently now. They wonder if anyone wants to go out with them. Your daughter has become the authority on everything. You have somehow become the student. Parents are out, friends are everything. So is music and fashion. And late nights. "Aw mum, why do I have to be back so early - everyone else is staying until 3 am!" Oh yeah? Are they really? But, every now and then, you can have an amazing conversation with your new young adult - as long as you aren't trying to lecture them. Your daughter has become an adult with goals, aspirations, and endless energy. Phase 8 (well, who said I could count?) Your daughter has moved out of the house to start a family of her own. Does she need help? Should you call her? "I'll love you, forever. I'll like you, for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be" - Robert Munsch The years will pass so quickly. Make the most of every one of them along the way.
Article Source: http://www.bodyformind.com/db
Dr. Noel Swanson runs a very interesting free newsletter on children's behavior, so if you could do with some tips for dealing with your children it might be worth a visit. Also visit here for more parenting articles. Get a unique version of this article from our parenting article directory
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