Kristen Keller lives in New Jersey with her two young boys, husband and two dogs. In an effort to obtain the perfect work-life balance, Kristen works part-time out of her home office as an independent public relations consultant and spends the rest of her time striving to give her children the same wonderful childhood experience she had. Click here to check out Kristen’s other posts on This Mommy Gig.

Every now and then, something will happen, and the fact that my kids will not remain two and three years old for the rest of their lives hits me like a brick wall. Case in point - the other day, I had to return a library book. Braden (3-year-old) asked if he could put the book in the slot, and I said, “Sure.” To my surprise, we got to the slot, and he didn’t need me to pick him up. He was able to reach it, pull it open and drop the book in all by himself. That same day, when he went to use the potty, he shut the door on me and said, “I can do it myself, Mommy,” and he did. In both instances, I was so proud and yet, a part of me was sad.

I told my husband about my feelings – how they are growing up so fast, and I’m not ready for it. And he said, “Don’t worry. They’ll always need their mommy.” I look back at the relationship my brother and I had with my mom, and I know it’s true. Yes, they’ll get bigger and be able to reach the library drop slot; heck, they’ll probably tower over me. And no, they won’t need me to help them go potty or kiss their booboos to make them all better, but they will need me in other ways.

I guess I just need to enjoy this phase while it lasts and take each day as it comes. After all, no matter how Braden’s and Devin’s needs may evolve, deep down, my boys will always need their mommy, right?