Submitted by Melissa, Norman, Oklahoma

I'm sad that my baby is growing up. Is this normal?

Answered by Jacque Grillo , Director, Lone Mountain Children's Center

Growing up is riddled with ambivalence.  On the one hand your child wants to demonstrate what a "big boy" he is, capable of making his own decisions and directing his own life.  On the other, he very often wants to curl up in your arms and be the little, totally dependent infant he was -- and not so very long ago.

And parenting, too, is characterized by these same ambivalent swings.  There's a part of us that wants our children to be fully autonomous, self-supporting individuals -- the ultimate goal of all our efforts.  But often equally strong is the impulse to hold on and savor for as long as possible her complete dependence on our care and nurturing.  As we witness them grow up and incrementally become their own independent persons, each day is understandably met with both celebration and a sense of loss.