This season of life is unique. My babies are no longer “babies” they’re growing up, as children tend to do, and becoming more independent — something we’ve been instilling since birth. They learned to cry when they were hungry, to self-soothe when they were uneasy, to use the potty when they needed to go, to walk… then run. We taught them to read, to write, and what’s safe and what’s not. Their first four years of life are strictly dedicated to teaching independence and finding their own way.

And yet, I’m not ready, it all happened so fast– even though it’s been us at the helm guiding them to their independence. Now, sits a quiet ache in the pit of my stomach, knowing they don’t ‘need me’ as much (unless it requires a ride, money, starbies, or help on homework). Some days, I wish time would stop so I could hold them on my hip again and kiss their chubby little feet one more time. I’d eagerly raise my hand to relive some of those years over and over, with no change— The messy parts, the hard parts, the unconventional parts.

But this chapter is different, I’ve started thinking of it as “The Wonder Years” — that transitional season when the parenting role quietly shifts. We’re no longer the directors or the hands-on rescuers; instead, we’re growing up with them, watching them through these formative years of discovery, and wonder. We’ve done the heavy lifting: instilled values, faced resilience, built trust so they know they’re loved no matter what. Now comes the beautiful, aching part — standing back (from an appropriate distance) as they explore life on their own terms. We see them light up over first crushes, first home-runs, watch them bounce back from failures and even disappointments. We witness the quirks that make them uniquely them, the sadnesses that shape their empathy, the joys that spark their curiosity.

It’s a gift, this front-row seat to their becoming. But it carries a bittersweet edge — every milestone forward is also a small letting-go, a reminder that the little versions who once needed us for every little thing are quietly turning into people who mostly don’t. And yet, in that space we’ve created, they are all the parts we’ve instilled and they’re thriving. that, perhaps, is the deepest wonder and joy of all.