Rural Ramblings: 'The Messy Middle'

My kid turned 11 this month. Next month, he enters middle school. These two events, while mundane to some, put my mind in overdrive. I try to avoid cliches, but truth be told, corny cliches are often overused because they are true. I imagine many moms and dads can relate to how confusing the time space continuum is during these years. How quickly time flies. How quickly kids grow up, yet, how slow some days can seem.

In some respects, it is easy to understand why. There are days I snack on sunflower seeds watching blades of grass grow in hopes my son does some epic performance playing catcher. There’s the 20-minute commute to basketball, where I sit on the gym floor catching up on online shopping, while he dribbles to his heart’s content. Or, the calendar juggling I conduct trying to occupy his endlessly free summer days – too young to be on his own yet rapidly aging out of daycare. Other days, I find myself racing from one task to another, checking off the to do list, only to discover my baby is no longer that but something else.

The messy middle. This in-between stage. No longer a baby but far from adulthood. Each day a little different from the one before. A bit more personality and spunk (with a heavy dose of attitude) exerts from my mini me. Dreams of joining the U.S. Navy SEALs or becoming president of the United States are discussed due to a belief that anything and everything is possible. Fearless when needed, yet demonstrating caution when called for. Sampling and strengthening his likes and dislikes. Developing thoughts independent of mom and dad’s influence.

I get that each stage of parenting is tough in its own way. This one included. But what an awesome time to embrace the miracle I get to see every single day. Perhaps I’m too melancholy. Sappy. Weak. A failed adoption and a heavy dose of grief allowing me to treasure these moments a bit tighter than others.

I’m finding this messy middle is magical. A time to pause and reflect on what’s been and what’s coming. An opportunity for hugs and the occasional win at HORSE. A time to bond over watching the world’s best athletes in the Olympics, crafting a cardboard boat for him and his friends and shopping for back-to-school shoes.

I can’t help but wonder how long these moments will last. When I’ll be catapulted into another phase of this journey – attempting to navigate the unknown complexities that come with parenting.

If you are interested in reading more random articles about parenting struggles and a pursuit of living an extraordinarily ordinary life, check out my website, where you can sign up for my newsletter and read more of my ramblings about rural living.