What Matters Most - Taking Time With Kids

School is starting soon. And I'm reminded of how fast my daughter is growing. She'll be in second grade this year. It seems like only a few days ago she was an infant, crying in my arms. Now, every move shows me that she's growing up. And every with every conversation, I feel more and more like I'm talking with a young woman. They say being a parent is “bittersweet”. This must be the “bitter” part.

She's an only child. My husband and I have learned to savor each joke she cracks. I try to write about every heart-to-heart moment I have with her. While I was musing on this topic (and feeling sorry for myself), I remembered one particularly adorable incident.

When my daughter was very young, just learning how to speak clearly, I decided it was time to train our Shepard-mix some basic commands and tricks. I'd heard about this method called "Clicker Training" and thought we'd give it a try. I bought a clicker and we went to work.

It was really easy. Almost no work at all. I was proud of myself. Now, of course, I realize that my dog, Daisy, was eager to please. Many dogs aren't. We worked in short training segments several times a day. All under the watchful eye of my curious toddler. "Sit. Stay. Good Dog!" over and over again.

One night I was folding laundry in the den, when I heard a little voice in the dining room. "Si- Tay- Dood Dog!" I peeked around the corner and saw Daisy patiently sitting by the refrigerator. My daughter was "training" her - perfectly imitating every move I would have made. She'd take a few steps back and say "Si- Tay- Dood Dog!" Then she'd walk up to Daisy - who hadn't budged an inch - and praise and pet her gently.

It was a comical scene since Daisy was twice our daughter's size. But I was extremely flattered. My daughter still seeks out dogs wherever we go. She's even included the title of dog trainer in her long list of "what-I-want-to-be-when-I-grow-up".

And that day is coming faster than I ever expected. I can't see the future, but I can feel it. Rushing against me like a swift current in a big river. So I've decided to just hold on to my little girl as tightly as I can. Until the day she grows up, and sails off on her own.