Parents always say their kids are growing up too fast. They say it feels like they are growing up over night. My oldest, LM, grew up overnight.

Literally.

A few days ago, LM asked me if it was okay if she used an “adult” plate. We have always had fun kids dinnerware in our house. I don’t know what it is, but the dinnerware has always been symbolic of childhood. Maybe it’s because I didn’t have fun kids plates, cups, bowls and silverware when I was a kid. Maybe I just thought it was a symbol of having kids. My Little Pony, Dora, ladybugs, Nemo and more, we have it. Ever since LM was moving beyond babyhood and into childhood, we have had the plasticware.

My husband hates it. It’s all hand wash or top rack dishwasher safe. It doesn’t stack neatly in the cabinet. He’s been counting the days for the girls to be done with it.

I’ve been counting the days, not for them to get rid of it, but for them to move on to more grown up dishes. I knew this day would come. And I knew I would be sad.

When LM asked to move up in dishes, I embraced her decision and encouraged it. While I quietly sighed on the inside. I love witnessing the milestones. I love watching them grow up. They are bittersweet as I know they are moving closer to teen then adult then out of the nest.

Isn’t this why I became a parent? To help guide and teach my children to become responsible citizens of the world? I also became a parent to enjoy my children and revel in the little things. And fun kid dishes.

I knew this day was coming. LM is 8 and I’ve been surprised we’ve made it this long.

It’s time she moves up.

The same day she made the switch, she also took the vacuum out and went over the floor, saying adults keep things clean. We also went to Target and bought grown up shampoo, because the kid’s shampoo hasn’t been doing it’s job. We also picked up some full-sized hangers, because her clothes have begun to slide off the kid-sized ones. She had to call her grandparents that night to let them know she was moving towards adulthood.

Tonight, after being excused from dinner, she quietly went up to her room, closed the door and had some alone time. She has never needed “alone time” unless she was up to something before this.

The second grade has brought us showers instead of baths, chores, allowance, mood swings and a goodbye to Dora. I knew all of these milestones were on the horizon. I just wasn’t prepared to reach the horizon so soon.

Weren’t we just singing Itsy Bitsy Spider and playing Candyland?

It’s all a part of growing up. The milestones, however bittersweet, are welcome. I enjoy watching my baby grow into a beautiful pre-teen. If there was only a way to pause her for a little longer.

I’d settle for a milestone a month. Let’s not jam them all into one week. My sentimental heart can’t take it.