A mom’s reflection on watching her three kids grow up
There’s a moment every parent knows.
You’re standing in the clothing aisle, holding the next size up… and suddenly it hits you.
This isn’t the section we used to shop in.
Going from toddler to big kid feels like crossing an invisible line. It’s exciting, yes — but it also comes with that quiet lump in your throat. Because every size up means your baby isn’t quite the baby they used to be.
Now imagine doing that not once…
Not twice…
But three times, all at once.
In our house, we have three kids in three very different stages of growing up — and every stage feels emotional in its own way.
Three Kids, Three Stages of Growing Up
My oldest is already stepping into the adult clothing section at only 13 years old. Suddenly, the racks feel more grown-up. The styles are more mature. The colors are darker. The sizes are bigger.
And somehow, the reality of it all feels heavier.
I still see my baby in there — the one who used to need help tying their shoes, who wanted bedtime stories, who held my hand everywhere we went. Now I’m watching them grow into independence, confidence, and a whole new chapter of life.
I’m proud.
I’m amazed.
And I’m quietly emotional every time I fold their clothes.
My middle child is in the tween years — that in-between stage where childhood and independence overlap. One day they want bright colors and fun patterns. The next, they want something “cooler,” something more grown up.
This stage is beautiful and confusing all at once. They’re learning who they are, finding their voice, and building confidence — while still needing reassurance, comfort, and the safety of home.
Watching your child grow into themselves is magical…
But it also reminds you how fast time is moving.
And then there’s my youngest, who is officially leaving the toddler stage and stepping into the big kid world.
The tiny clothes are disappearing. The onesies are gone. The baby sizes are packed away.
Now it’s all about big kid outfits, bigger shoes, and bigger independence.
And while I love watching them grow, part of me still misses the little hands, the sleepy cuddles, and the days when they fit perfectly in my arms.
Growth Looks Different for Every Child
What surprises me most is how differently each child experiences growing up.
One embraces change.
One questions it.
One doesn’t even realize it’s happening yet.
And somehow, I’m growing right along with them — learning how to hold on without holding back.
Because as moms, we don’t just raise kids.
We raise people.
And that means learning how to love every version of them — even as the versions keep changing.
The Quiet Goodbyes
We don’t always notice the last time they wear a certain size.
The last time they fit into a favorite pair of pajamas.
The last time they need help getting dressed.
But those moments add up.
Every size up is another step forward — and another tiny goodbye.
Not sad goodbyes.
Just soft ones.
The kind that make you pause for a second…
And breathe it all in.
Holding On to What Really Matters
The clothes will change.
The sizes will change.
The stages of childhood will change.
But the moments?
Those are what stay.
The bedtime routines.
The morning snuggles.
The laughter over mismatched socks.
The pride in watching your kids grow into who they’re meant to be.
So yes — it’s hard watching them grow up.
But it’s also the greatest privilege.
Because every stage — messy, emotional, magical, and fast — is a gift.
And I wouldn’t trade a single one of them for the world.