Why do children have to grow up?

This week, I have been getting myself ready both physically and emotionally for my daughter’s first year at school. Now, at the age of five, she will inform you in these exact words, that she 'knows everything', and then she will proceed to ask you a question about something irrelevant to my mind, but obviously important in hers.
I have two girlfriends with whom I catch up with regularly, as our girls are all of the same age, and I asked them if the last five years have gone quickly or slowly for them. One friend replied that things had moved slowly for her as she stays at home being the best and most dedicated mother/ wife/ house-cleaner that I have ever met! My other friend said that things had moved fairly quickly for her, as she now has three beautiful children under the age of five and has numerous family and personal commitments that keep her occupied throughout each week. I thought about the question for a minute and I said to my friends, ‘I think that things have moved quickly for me, too’ and I guess that the piles of dishes that have laid in my kitchen sink for more than two days at a time, and the piles of paperwork that sat on my desk for over a year are testament to the fact that I have not had as much time as my housecleaning friend to keep up with the duties that a housewife has, but on the other hand, I do not feel like I have missed out on any part of my daughter’s first five years of life.
I have studied full – time over the last four years and as a mother, have still seen my ‘baby’ grow into a wonderful little girl whom I believe will be a blessing to her friends and classmates this year as she starts school. She has been a blessing to my husband and me, and all of our family. And now, I will go and spend some time with my 'baby', which I would still do even if there was something on TV! And so, until next time...