6000 Days – Part 1
At Highpoint, we use the term 7000 days to help remind us to be intentional in our parenting. If we consider the typical crib to college time span, we only have 7000 days where our children are under our roof.As both of our children hover around the last 1000 days, I find myself wanting to encourage those on the earlier part of their parenting journey to be aware of a few things. Perhaps these observations over my next three posts can help you make the most of the opportunity you have to pour into each of your children.
The first 1000 days and the last 1000 days are remarkably similar
The first 1000 days included so many changes and such physical growth that there was always something new to tackle as a parent. Let’s be honest, it can be exhausting. You’re up at all hours as those little bundles get their clocks and appetite synced with the rest of humanity.Depending on how many children you have and how spread out they are, you eventually get to a place where most of the angels sleep through the night, can use the restroom without help, and need less assistance feeding themselves. Once you get to the preschool years, parenting takes on a calmer cadence. It didn’t feel like calm then, but in contrast to where I am now… it was calm. Embrace the calm between the first and last 1000 days. Look for calm. Create calm while you can. I wish I’d created more.While most of the growing has already occurred by the last 1000 days, the number of changes you’ll be navigating is exponentially higher than the last decade.I remember being told that children start like dogs. They’re playful and happy to see you. Tails are always wagging. Then, as teenagers, they become like cats. They’re aloof and come around when food is put out. There’s truth to that. Remember to prepare food so they come around (or be willing to order pizza and keep cookie dough on hand)… and remember not to take it personally!In the last 1000 days, you must be prepared to navigate the many new situations that constantly arise. Here are some of the new questions we have to answer:
- What do we require?
- What do we encourage?
- Who can come over?
- When must they leave?
- Can they drive?
- Where can they drive?
- How will they be held accountable?
- Who pays for what?
- What’s permissible in the world of dating?
- How will we keep godly influences in their lives?
- What’s worth fighting for?
- What’s non-negotiable?
- What do we need to normalize as a part of becoming independent?
It would take a book to answer each of these questions, but it would also be pointless. Each child is different. As much as it’s great to anticipate some of these questions before the last 1000 days, I’m aware that even 500 days ago, some of my answers would’ve been different. Just rest up before you get to day 6000, so you have a clear head when you need it!The sleep-deprived nights have returned. I’m up early in the day because that’s how the real world operates. I’m up late at night because that’s how teenagers operate. We always said we wanted to be the home where the teenagers hung out. Sleep is a small price to pay for knowing where your teen is and what his or her friends are doing.I want to encourage you that, so far, the last 1000 days are pretty incredible. We’re seeing our children take steps of maturity and blossom into their own. It’s exciting to see how God goes before us. It’s a season where we’re aware more than ever that God alone can guide them through every step of this journey. You have a lot to look forward to, but don’t rush to get here. It happens fast enough.