Wednesday, Feb. 03, 2010

The best milestone

When my kids were babies, I spent hours carefully going through the milestone charts to find out when they should roll over or name two colors.

In hindsight, what I really wanted was a checklist of the milestones that would make my life as a parent easier.

If I were making such a list, I would be sure to include the milestone of my kids being able to open the car door for themselves and buckle themselves into their booster seat.

And the day that they were able to put on their shoes and socks by themselves rates high on my list.

I will forever remember the first time that we went over to someone's house and I was able to hang out with the grown-ups instead of spending the evening sitting on someone else's playroom floor.

Each morning when my daughter wakes at 5:30 and I hear her opening the freezer, I am thankful that we have also reached the milestone of her being able to heat up her breakfast biscuit in the microwave without my having to get out of my warm bed.

Over the next several years, I know that I will be able to check off more milestones from the list.

But I am positive that the day that I can run to the store or go on a date with my husband without getting a baby sitter because the kids are old enough to stay home alone will be a good one.