milestones

I write these posts as small landmarks in our path together.  Notes about the tiny moments that matter, but easily get blended into the greater whole of life and parenting.  This moment now is one of those.  Its edges are fuzzy, there is no defining day or night that marks its end or beginning. But I sense that a milestone is here, and I want to love each moment it left behind.  I want to move forward into their years as little girls, still remembering and loving their soft baby selves. 

Six years of family co-sleep (in one bed or another, with one child or both), six years of nursing one girl or the other.  So much sweetness and connection.  And now we find ourselves, without much intention or anticipation, at the end of that.  Not a black and white end (we still find ourselves in a big family pile many mornings) but a colorful-take-it-as-it-comes-but-mostly-there-end. 

Its not for everyone, but for us, nursing and co-sleeping were just another extension of the way we try to parent. To respect the needs of our children, to be there with closeness when times are good and when times are tough. To know that meeting our child's needs of dependence now is the key to helping her achieve independence later. That building a strong, thoughtful and secure person, takes trust, respect and time (so much time!) now. Believe me, we screw things up regularly. But nursing and co-sleeping were one of the ways we were able to re-establish the closeness time and time again.

 

I think a parent never knows, truly, if the choices they make for (and with) their children are, in the end, the right ones.  We do what we do with a heart full of love and good intention, and in the end....

they will be their own selves.  May those selves be strong, creative, and full of compassion.  You sweet girls, I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring.