Embracing Change

Do you have a six-year-old?

Or remember having one?

Or maybe you’ll have one some day?

It’s such an interesting age —  where many of them spend their days oscillating between baby and big kid. 

Who else has been held hostage on that emotional roller coaster ride?

Once in a while, you get a glance of who they’re becoming, and can almost picture them as teenagers. The next  minute they’re baby-talking and throwing themselves on the ground in a tantrum. Or trying to snuggle awkwardly into your lap because their gangly limbs don’t fit quite the same way they used to. 

This week our youngest moved from a 5-point-harness to a big kid booster seat. 

A little thing that feels oh, so big!

She’s been asking to switch to a booster for at least a year, but never pressed the issue, so of course I’ve been stalling.

But yesterday we had to unexpectedly help out with carpooling, and all the big kids weren’t going to fit in the car if her baby seat was in there. 

I felt like the universe was giving me a bit of a nudge, “it’s time”. 

And suddenly, it hit me. 

I realized I wouldn’t see her in that seat again. That her last ride in it had already happened. That the seat buckle big brother had been un-clicking for her every time we pulled into the driveway would be no more.

It felt heavy - and finally inevitable. 

I exhaled and felt grateful for the opportunity to say goodbye and make the transition in my own way. 

My nostalgic heart wanted to see her in that seat one more time, so I asked her to climb back in for a photo. To my surprise, she cooperated, curled up in the seat and embraced the moment herself.  

She was excited about the big move, but also a little sad about leaving the past behind. 

Growing up isn’t easy! And accepting that they’re growing up isn’t either. 

At first I felt bad about bringing that emotional transition to her level of consciousness — but then I actually felt good about it.

Saying goodbye to the things we love is a valuable life lesson. Learning to let go and move forward is a vital life skill. 

Closure matters. 

Embracing change matters. 

And the more practice we get with it, the easier it becomes. 

A car seat seems like a good place to start. 

Onward and upward! 

Happy June, all.