The Last Time You Tuck Them In
A Parenting Wake-Up Call
A Parenting Wake-Up Call
Last night, I taught my son how to blow a bubble. We sat together for about an hour, each with a piece of bubble gum in our mouths, as I gave him a step-by-step tutorial. It wasn’t a monumental moment by most standards, but it felt special. Earlier that evening, he had asked me, “Mom, can you please teach me how to blow a bubble?” His words made my heart swell.
This wasn’t just about gum or bubbles; it was about connection. It was a small but sweet request, one of those moments when your child sees you as the all-knowing, all-capable parent.
The Beauty of Firsts
Parenting is full of “firsts.” From their first steps to their first day of school, we celebrate and document these milestones with photos, videos, and heartfelt social media posts. These firsts are precious because they symbolize growth and discovery — both for them and for us.
But as someone once told me,
“With our children, we celebrate the firsts, but we don’t celebrate the lasts.”
The Lasts We Don’t See Coming
The sentiment struck a chord. Think about it: we’re so focused on the next big milestone that the everyday moments slip away unnoticed and uncelebrated. The last time your child holds your hand to cross the street. The last time they climb into your lap to cuddle. The last time you tuck them in with a bedtime story.
Unlike firsts, lasts don’t announce themselves. They happen quietly, and it’s only in hindsight that we realize they’ve passed.
As I sat with my son last night, guiding him through the art of bubble-blowing, I tried to etch the moment into my mind. Watching his face light up as he managed his first wobbly bubble, I thought, This might be the first and last time I teach him this lesson.
It’s a humbling thought. Parenting is filled with fleeting moments that seem endless at the moment but are, in reality, painfully brief.
The Gift of Presence
That bubble-blowing lesson wasn’t just about teaching a skill but about being present. It was about recognizing that these small, seemingly insignificant moments are the ones I’ll treasure most when my kids are grown.
I’ll have to remember this the next time he pushes my limits.
So please notice the lasts. Hold onto them. Celebrate the firsts, yes, but also savor the mundane, the ordinary, the things that won’t return once they’re gone.
Because one day, when the house is quiet, and the requests for help have faded, it’s these moments we’ll look back on and cherish the most.
Thank you for reading! I’d love to connect with you. Visit www.shaunteyoung.com and follow me on Instagram.
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