MissB

Today was that day for me.

This afternoon we went out to Adventure Valley for a couple of hours, we have annual passes (a really thoughtful gift from my mother in law for Christmas) so we tend to go there every couple of weeks as it has a lovely, big soft play area and the kids love it.

Now usually on these days, both my husband and I are playing with MissB and MasterB in the soft play, helping them to climb up, holding their hands as we go down the slide and generally being the most important people in their lives who they love to play with

Today, whilst we were playing, we heard a little boy shouting MissB’s name. It turned out to be a friend from nursery and that was it. MissB was off playing with a group of children her own age. Charging around the soft play, giggling together, running around and generally having an absolute ball with barely a glance back to see where Mummy and Daddy were.

Although I still had the full attention of MasterB, I couldn’t help but get a lump in my throat. My little girl is growing up now. How long will it be until she no longer grabs my hand and pulls me into the soft play to see who can go down the slide quickest? How long until she reaches the stage where she is embarrassed to have Mummy and Daddy in the soft play with her?

I love seeing her so happy and being a child with all her friends around her but part of me doesn’t want her to need anybody else in her life but me (and Daddy of course). I’m allowed to feel jealous of those friends aren’t I? I’m allowed to want to be selfish and keep her to myself that little bit longer aren’t I? Or should I just accept that the days of being needed quite so much are dwindling?

I’m going to cherish these days where she is still my little girl and make the most of being able to race her down the slide because today I realised these days aren’t going to last forever

MissB – I love you, please always be my little girl.