My poor son is sick too again, hopefully it will go away quicker this time but he’s been knocked down a few times this winter alone. I agree with you though that it’s okay because it’s important for their immune systems later. Not that I want him to get sick but I also don’t want to sterilize the place so that he doesn’t. It’s just not a good way to live I think.
I bet she was proud she did something as grown up as that! I also would have shed a tear because it’s great watching them grow up but it’s also sad. Milestones are important for sure but having them occur is sad thinking they are growing up, and we are getting older ourselves.
I think it’s important to nurture the independence in them for sure though. My wife has a little disagreement with me on that one but I try to foster and be the dad, giving my son a bit more freedom than he gets with his mum. I ask him to get something from in the house if I’m in the car cleaning and just give him the keys. The first time I let him do that you should’ve seen the smile on his face to go off on his own adventure alone - up the big scary stairs without dad in tow. These things are important for so many things but most importantly - confidence! We need to foster confidence in the kids otherwise we are giving them a bad start to a lot of things!
And then, there is the constant barrage of antibiotics that rip apart stomach flora and cause numerous issues. Gut health has changed a lot over the last years.
It is pretty awesome, but you are right, bitter sweet. The more independent they get, the less useful we feel.
It is about facing fears, uncertainty, challenge and developing the resilience to overcome. Such small actions young in life, enable being able to face big challenges in the future. It is highly important.