Phase 1: The Twinkle in Your Eye.

Your biological alarm goes off. Every baby is unbelievably cute. Am I ready for kids? They are pretty darn cute. Why not? Plus, making babies is quite fun!

Phase 2: Heavy with Child

You check your calendar to see that your period is late. Oh my. This really could be happening. Your heart beats faster at the thought of having a baby on the way. Your bladder pushes you to go to the bathroom as you feel a kick in your stomach.

A few months later and you know all about those kicks - and the elbows. Plus backache, piles, swollen ankles, varicose veins - who was responsible for getting you into this state????

Baby arrives with loud fan fare. You swear at your husband and swear you can’t take the pain of giving birth ever again. You spot her cute grin and your heart melts.

Phase 3: Creating a “first” for every occasion.

You have lost your precious sleep time. Your nipples are beyond sore and you are going delirious from dieting. However, your precious bundle of joy can harm no one. She is perfect with a perfect smile. She just found her little toes. She tastes them. Maybe she is hungry you laugh.

The “firsts” for every occassion erupt. She sits, crawls, stands, and walks to you all on her own. She can eat solid food and go to the potty. You are so proud until she throws an ear piercing tantrum. This doesn’t deter your enthusiasm about celebrating her “firsts”.

The television takes place of fun, stories and games.

First kindergarten or school: a mixed blessing. Where did my baby go?

Stage 4: Her social world expands.

She is no longer your little baby. She goes to school. She wears a uniform that makes her look so independent.

Toilet jokes - everything and anything to do with pooping and peepee is absolutely hilarious!

Their first best friend, and first rejection. Scraped knees in the playground. And, of course, their first “it’s not fair!”

How hard it is to let them go - but you can’t protect them from everything.

Phase 5 - Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmatic

Time to put the play aside for a moment. There’s letters and sums to learn. For some, it is just a walk in the park, for others it is climbing Everest. It is at this time that the differences between children become apparent. Those with easy kids can’t see what all the fuss is about, yet for others it is the beginnings of years of stress, worry, tears and heartache.

Even so, there are always the little events to remember - All she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth (along with Barbie and a puppy dog!)

The temptation to baby her strong, but you remember she needs to do her chores.

Phase 6: Almost a teenager

They hit puberty and their body will be changing every day. Girls and boys don’t spend time with each other. Girls think boys are icky and gross.

Clothes. You are just SO out of date mom! No one wears that anymore! And why should it matter if my pants are hanging down by my knees? Mom, these clothes are too small!

Language. Well cool.

First bra, first period. Lipstick and make-up. Squeaky voice that breaks. Antiperspirant.

Stage 7: The opposite sex suddenly looks attractive.

Boys and girls discover the attraction to each other. They wonder if anyone has a crush on them.

Your daughter has become the authority on everything. You have somehow become the student.

Parents are out of style while friends are the top of their social list. Your daughter wants to stay out till the wee hours of the morning with friends. Why not? Everyone else is staying out that late.

Special moments arise when you can have a great discussion with your young adult child. Just make sure you listen and don’t sound like a teacher.

Then, one day, the fireworks settle. The grunts turn into English again and like a phoenix from the ashes, and new (adult) human emerges - full of ideals and dreams and visions, but perhaps a bit short on confidence and wisdom.

Phase 8 (well, who said I could count?)

Your daughter has gone to college. You worry about her everyday. Did she have a good dinner? Are her clothes clean?

You will always have a place in your heart for your children no matter what they do.

Time flies. Take a moment to enjoy the specialness of each and every day with your children.