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Phase 1: The thought that gives you goosebumps.

“Shall we start a family, darling?” The biological clock ticks, the maternal instinct weighs heavy. Seeing babies everywhere prompts a sigh, “isn’t she so cute?”. All helped of course by the tiresome chore called “making babies”.

Phase 2: Pregnant or not?

You check your calendar to see that your period is late. Oh my. This really could be happening. Your heart beats faster at the thought of having a baby on the way. Your bladder pushes you to go to the bathroom as you feel a kick in your stomach.

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.

Stage 3: Your life has changed forever.

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.

The “firsts” for every occassion erupt. She sits, crawls, stands, and walks to you all on her own. She can eat solid food and go to the potty. You are so proud until she throws an ear piercing tantrum. This doesn’t deter your enthusiasm about celebrating her “firsts”.

Nursery rhymes and pat-a-cake – crucial for child development but, all too often these days, delegated to the TV.

Your baby hits the academic world. You know she is ready, but will miss her.

Phase 4 Playgrounds, parties and alphabets.

She is no longer your little baby. She goes to school. She wears a uniform that makes her look so independent.

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.

You have to let go, but desire to save them from any harm in the world.

Phase 5: Time for academics

Play times fall by the wayside when they have to learn the alphabet and addition. It may be easier for your child or it may feel like the teacher is speaking Chinese. If your child succeeds easily you have a fairly smooth ride ahead of you. If your child has trouble then you will have many potholes on the road called “school”.

She can be tough to deal with, but she is sweet when she asks for a pony for Christmas.

The temptation to baby her strong, but you remember she needs to do her chores.

Phase 6 – Pre-teens and Puberty

They hit puberty and their body will be changing every day. The girls hang with the girls and the boys hang with the boys. Girls are too silly for boys. Girls think boys are not mature.

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.

Language. Well cool.

Their voices go up and down. Your daughter is embarassed and proud to shop for her first bra.

Stage 7: The opposite sex suddenly looks attractive.

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

Your daughter has become the authority on everything. You have somehow become the student.

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.

On special occasions your teenager will open up to you. Just listen, don’t preach.

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.

Phase 8 (well, who said I could count?)

Your daughter has moved out of the house to start a family of her own. Does she need help? Should you call her?

You will always love your children no matter what.

Time flies. Take a moment to enjoy the specialness of each and every day with your children.