Brain Realizes His Family Is In a ‘Sweet Spot’

My wife and I both took some time off last week to spend with our kids as they enjoyed spring break. We took a quick trip up to the Mall of America and the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park. It was a blast to watch the kids ride all the rides, laugh and have a great time. We returned home and celebrated Cayleigh's 5th birthday over the weekend and on Monday. It was after this that I began to realize something. These years are some of the best of my life. And both my wife and I understand we need to slow down and enjoy them.

Our kids are ages 10, 6 and 5. Beautiful ages if you think about it. Old enough that you can take them and do fun things like we did on spring break. But young enough that they aren't filled with teenage angst and resentment yet. Chase, who is 10, sometimes will give us subtle hints of the teenage years that lie ahead. But he's still young enough that he asks for a hug before bed every night. And the girls, ages 6 and 5, are my angels.  When they aren't fighting with each other of course. Our family is in a sweet spot right now. My wife and I realize that as the kids grow up, they'll become more independent. They won't always want to do stuff with mom and dad. And that's fine. It's part of becoming an adult. That's why we have to stop and appreciate the time we're in now.

Years fly by. We've all said it. But you don't truly realize how fast they go until you become a parent. Blink an eye, and 5 years are gone. I need to be better at appreciating the little things. Before they grow up.