They grow into little people who have their own ideas, thoughts, and opinions.
Yes, of course they have these when they are little, along with a bundle of personality to boot. But they don't exert them, and it's easier for you to control what where and how you do what you and they do. Plus their fascination is on overload so ANY exciting thing you do they are immediately fascinated with - bug festivals, dragon boat races, sprinkler parks, batman festivals, doesn't really matter what it is as long as it involves going to do it.
When they are older they all of a sudden get opinionated... one is interested in technology and engineering, the other in plants and animals, or whatever their interests. All of a sudden dragon boat races hold no allure - they're not specializing in canoeing after all, they've grown out of batman festivals, bug festivals hold no long term interest - they know it's not something they are going to do with their lives - and the things they are truly interested in are the only things that hold allure anymore.
They stop doing things WITH you. This is especially true with boys - with girls there is always shopping, girl talk, and girl movies. They start doing things independently of you.
At the same time, they also become your army of men. They open doors for you, give you afternoon hugs, ask what they can do to help around the house.
But it's not the same.
They no longer hold that young fascination, and instead are working on the challenges of cultivating their passions, discovering how to be mature, experimenting with service, and figuring how to be a grown up.
Shawners is still in the fascination stage a teensy bit, but he's getting there. I can still point out neat things that has nothing to do with his passions and he'll be interested, and curious.
Justinbustin is there. He knows what his interests are in school, sports, and extra-curricular activities, he's working ever so hard on opening that door without being reminded and manly sucking it up when he's not pleased with a situation, he wants to volunteer for VBS this summer, his Sunday School class graduated into the youth group and along with thirty other kids welcomed the middle school era along with a summer of relay races, pool parties, service opportunities, and summer camps, and he's oh so concentrated on doing the best that he can with the responsibility we give him in order for us to give him more.
It's amazing. Scary. A little too much at once. But needed. And I am so glad he is going through it now instead of wallowing in being a child. I say I'm glad but every time I think about him maturing so much it hits me like a brick wall. And then I smile and say, it was going to happen one day, I'm glad it's happening now.
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