THE SEVEN AGES OF PARENTHOOD

Phase 1: The Twinkle in Your Eye.

Your biological clock ticks away and prompts you to smile at every cute baby face you see. Should you start a family of little ones? This tickles your curiosity as you love to "make" babies.

Phase 2: Heavy with Child

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?

Flash forward a few months. The kicks, elbows, backaches, and swollen ankles are part of your daily routine. Gross! Varicose veins. What happened to your body?

Here she comes. Your baby pushes and pushes making you have the mouth of a sailor. During labor you decide to never make babies ever again. But wait, she has ten fingers, ten toes, and a sweet smile.

Phase 3: A first time for everything

You have lost your precious sleep time. Your nipples are beyond sore and you are going delirious from dieting. However, your precious bundle of joy can harm no one. She is perfect with a perfect smile. She just found her little toes. She tastes them. Maybe she is hungry you laugh.

First time: sitting, crawling, standing, walking. First word, First solid food. First potty. First full blown, lie-on-the-floor-and-kick-the-feet tantrum. Each a major achievement to celebrate.

The television takes place of fun, stories and games.

Your baby heads off to school. You are thrilled, but will miss her at the same time.

Phase 4 Playgrounds, parties and alphabets.

How fast they change from being cuddly babies to young, independent, school kids. In some English private schools they even wear a uniform with cap and tie (for the boys)!

Toilet jokes - everything and anything to do with pooping and peepee is absolutely hilarious!

The first best friend wonderfully appears while the first brush with rejection sadly appears. She has bumps and scrapes from play. She doesn't understand why things are not always fair.

How hard it is to let them go - but you can't protect them from everything.

Phase 5 - Reading, Riting and Rithmatic

The subject of play turns to math and english. She is a good student, but some students are not. You are lucky to have a smooth academic experience ahead of you.

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.

Time too for rules and chores, they're not your little babies anymore!

Stage 6: She hits middle school.

They hit puberty and their body will be changing every day. Girls and boys don't spend time with each other. Girls think boys are icky and gross.

Your personal style will not be cool no matter what. No one wears the clothes you have in your wardrobe and your daughter will tell you this every day.

Lingo changes from what you said when you were her age.

First bra, first period. Lipstick and makekup. Squeeky voice that breaks. Anti-perspirant.

Phase 7 - "Kevin goes Large"

Boys and girls discover the attraction to each other. They wonder if anyone has a crush on them.

Suddenly too, your precious child, whom you taught everything, knows more than you. In fact, you apparently, know nothing, and they knows everything!

Parents are out of style while friends are the top of their social list. Your daughter wants to stay out till the wee hours of the morning with friends. Why not? Everyone else is staying out that late.

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 becomes an adult. She is back to talking with you and tells you about her life dreams. She is ready to tackle the world.

Stage 8: (The rest of your lives.)

Your daughter has gone to college. You worry about her everyday. Did she have a good dinner? Are her clothes clean?

You will always love your children no matter what.

Life is short. Enjoy moments with your children whenever you can.

Article Source: http://www.a1-articledirectory.com

For more expert advice on child behavior problems and for his excellent book, why not visit Dr. Noel Swanson's website www.good-child-guide.com ? You can also find many more of Dr. Noel Swanson free articles on parenting here.
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