On the occasion of my daughter’s fourteenth birthday, I shared two contrasting images on social media: one depicting her as she is today, alongside a charming photo capturing her toddler years. My caption read, “How time flies!” Later that day, I noticed my daughter had posted her own tribute, using the hashtag “finally14.” This juxtaposition—my sentiment of time’s swift passage against her feeling of finally reaching a milestone—illustrates the divergent perceptions of time experienced by parents and their children.
Currently, it requires considerable effort to coax my teenage daughter out of the house before noon on non-school days. She enjoys a leisurely breakfast, often retreating to her room to immerse herself in social media or streaming videos. I am often reminded of a time when she would eagerly approach our door, shoes in hand, asking, “Out?” ready for adventure at any moment.
There is an adage that resonates deeply with me: “The days are long, but the years are short.” I recall a vibrant autumn day in Brooklyn when my fourteen-month-old daughter and I spent hours gathering acorns in Prospect Park. She found joy in collecting them, filling her pockets and shirt, and we even counted them together—a task she could have engaged in indefinitely. The simple act of counting and redistributing the acorns felt timeless.
As I tuck my eleven-year-old son into bed, I cherish the moment, aware that it won’t be long before he outgrows this comforting ritual. As I adjust his blanket, I marvel at his growth, remembering when he was a mere eleven inches long and weighed just over a pound at birth. I playfully remind him of his past exclamation, “You’re bigger than the bathtub!” He laughs, still my little boy for this fleeting moment. However, I know that the teenage years, marked by eye-rolling and sarcasm, are approaching.
Recently, my son turned thirteen. My daughter expressed disbelief, exclaiming, “Is William turning thirteen?!” To her, it seemed unfathomable. I responded, “Yes, soon our household will be devoid of little kids…only teenagers.” Their reactions—my daughter’s apology and my son’s wish of “Good luck!”—made me chuckle. Despite the challenges of parenting teenagers, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. It is our responsibility as parents to guide our children through every stage, from infancy to childhood, and into adolescence, ultimately leading them toward adulthood.
My own mother often lamented how swiftly time passes as one ages, frequently beginning with, “Seems like just yesterday…” I would nod, but only recently have I begun to truly comprehend her sentiments. Residing in an area populated with colleges, I observe the seasonal influx of students each fall, followed by an exodus in May as they return home for the summer. Each year, the transition from fall to summer appears to shrink, confirming my mother’s observations on the accelerating passage of time.
As my daughter completes tenth grade and my son finishes seventh, I find myself acutely aware that their remaining years in school will vanish in the blink of an eye. This awareness prompts me to cherish the everyday challenges—whether it’s negotiating over makeup, clothing choices, or screen time—reminding myself that the teenage years, however tumultuous, are indeed fleeting.
The days may be long, but the years are undeniably short. Therefore, it is essential to savor each moment and resist the urge to wish away this period.
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Summary
In conclusion, the transition from childhood to adolescence is a poignant period for parents, characterized by rapid changes and cherished moments. Embracing these experiences is crucial, as time moves swiftly, reminding us to appreciate every stage of our children’s lives.