I have come to the conclusion that I am not a baby person. I love my babies. I would not send them back for anything and I would not trade their baby days for any reason. My personality loves to dialogue, interact and be able to experience really great things with the people that I love. You can't really do that with babies or toddler/preschool age children. You can take them to do fun things but they won't process as deeply as an older child.
My first thoughts after having this feeling was I was a less than mommy. My thought was that I should appreciate where each of my kids are at and love the age they are at and soak in every part of it. But then I had other thoughts. A teacher chooses the grade that they teach by what age child they feel they interact with the best. What age child does their personality handle the best? If they are not preteen people they choose elementary or high school. If they are not older teenage people they choose middle school or elementary school. If they are not young child people they choose the older kids. That is ok. They have chosen an age group that they feel they will be successful with and that is ok. It is ok to have a preference and have an age you work with the best.
As a mom, we do have to be successful at every age group to some extent. That is our responsibility as a parent. We have to be working with them, teaching them and interacting with them as much as their age allows because that is what the Lord asks us to do as a parent. Now, does that mean I have to enjoy every age? No. Does that mean I should not want them to grow up a little bit? No. Do these feelings make me any less of a mom than the mom who likes babies? No.
Moms, you should never look down on yourself or feel less than because you are not enjoying an age that your child is at. We are humans. Do I love them less? Absolutely not. My love for my children never changes. That never waivers. Would I prefer them to move past that non-favorite age quickly? Absolutely ;) As a mom you are not guaranteed satisfaction all the time. You are not required to Carpe Diem every day, with every year, or with every stage. Some times you want them out of an age or stage quickly. Some you wouldn't mind them lingering in for a while. You are no less of a mom because you do not Carpe Diem every day. Do you love them unconditionally? Do you support them in every way you can? Do you give them everything they need and are available to them? Then you are a good mom. Don't let yourself or any other outside force make you feel other wise.
Carpe Diem those moments you don't want to forget and do your best with the rest. Stay the course mom. Stay the course.
Blessings.
