Double figures

December saw the youngest of my children turn ten.

At the time, it was a flurry of, well just December really. With three birthdays, the usual pre-Christmas madness, actual Christmas looming, sleepovers, shopping trips, well you get the picture. December is just crazy in this house.

My daughter’s birthday came and went with a three day extravaganza and she was a happy bean having spent time with family of friends and eaten lots of cake. It was only when I sat down after Christmas that it really hit me that my youngest daughter was in double figures.

This year saw a big difference in her present list. Gone was the long list of toys. This year, she wanted make-up, clothes, accessories and things for her bedroom. She also wanted to clear out her wardrobe, all dresses and “babyish”clothes are gone to make way for crop tops, skirts and leggings. Suddenly, she is becoming a tween before my very eyes.

It is quite a big deal. Not the tween bit, I have done that a few times before. But she is my baby and she is growing up.

The New Year also brings with it the last two terms of primary school. Already we are counting off the ‘lasts’ of this stage of parenting. The last harvest festival, the last carol concert, the last school play. I will have spent 11 years standing outside this primary school’s gates. Before that, I spent six years at my eldest son’s school gates. 17 years of being a primary school mum. Another set of double figures.

So double figures it is.  There is no going back.  I am going to enjoy the last few months of having a child at primary school.  After 17 years, I think I am ready to embrace the next phase whatever it will bring.  And 10 is still quite young, even if it is double figures.