The “fun” changes as they get older, though it’s amazing how much even teenagers will still come running for fresh baked cookies!

At some point, we see we’re doing things more or less right, and that’s probably as good as we can do. Those are sweet moments.

I can’t wait!

But it certainly does sound like you are having far too much fun with the kids, but that is ok.

It is wonderful stories like this that keeps us going – our own stories and reading others’ who capture it so eloquently.

Have I been able to glimpse uncomplicated goodness in someone I know? Yes, on occasion I have. It’s like a really strong cup of coffee – a jolt of exhilaration that sort of restores your faith in humanity for a while.

And I do often second-guess my parenting skills, but also have moments like yours where I just sit back and think, “oh good, I am really not screwing this up and these kids are doing just fine”.

These words, this telling so that in a couple years both you and Toddler can look at them and smile – very special indeed.

I will say, as far as special moments, I’ve had some stuff happen lately where I realize that, despite some very rough periods, my kids seem to be coming along quite well. My son has rousing political discussions with me, loves history, and is quite well-spoken, and my daughter, besides speaking like a college professor at age ten, also has a way of assessing what is true to her innermost self that is amazing. I mean, I know I taught her that by telling her about a few of the mistakes I made not listening to my innermost self, but it’s great hearing her be so self-assured and confident at such a young age!

These poignant moments are all the sweeter for how rarely it occurs to us to step back and think, “this is worth remembering. This is worth telling.”

Our little girls just won’t stay little, Aidan. My firstborn is going to be ten this year. Today she asked me why a condom would go on a banana. I am trying really hard to reconcile this child-woman with the little girl in pigtails who made me promise that when she came out of the doors on her very first day of school I would still be there, waiting for her, and I just can’t do it some days.