Parenting | Empty Drawer Syndrome
It has finally happened. The drawer that used to keep my youngest daughter’s crib sheets, pack & play sheets, crib mattress pads and changing pad covers is now empty.
She’s a big girl now.
Her big girl bed is on its way.
The top of her changing table is clear, except for some folded clothes that need put away. Even though she’s 3½, I kept the changing pad on top to change her out of her Pull-Up in the mornings, and just to give us a place to sit her higher when I’m combing her long hair after a bath.
But no more. The changing pad will be passed onto a friend to use as a spare.
It’s funny to think that more than eight years ago when we purchased our nursery furniture, we had no idea what our family would look like eight years later. We didn’t know that our firstborn would be a girl, and although we hoped for more children, we didn’t know if was possible; and if it was, what they would look like, what their amazing, feisty and funny personalities would be like, nor what point this furniture would go into a garage sale or Goodwill.
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We purposely chose the style of changing table that didn’t look like a changing table. Except for the taller back panel, it really looks like a dresser, and now I need to pull out some favorite stuffed animals and maybe a framed photo or two to set on top.
So now, I have an empty drawer with all sorts of possibilities … shall I use it for sweaters? Pajamas? What about toys so they’re out of the way but within her reach?
For now, the empty drawer doesn’t make me sad. I’m excited about this new stage of our family, when I don’t have to bring a stroller everywhere or have extra diapers, wipes and a change of clothes for every trip.
I changed her crib sheet for the last time tonight. Her new mattress set should be here in a few days.
And I didn’t cry.
But I might … in a few days.
What about you … when your youngest flew the coop crib, were you sad? Relieved? Scared? Inspired?
Image: Greenphile
Category: Parenting/Family
About the Author (Author Profile)
After a career in advertising and marketing, Ann-Marie is now a WAHM of three fun-loving children. Always a deal seeker, she slowly took her basic couponing skills to the next level and began sharing tips with her friends. She started Chaos Is Bliss in 2010, where she blogs about money-saving deals to help families save not only on groceries, but all around the house. You can find me @ChaosIsBliss10 on Twitter, or join Chaos Is Bliss on Facebook.Subscribe
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LOVED this post. I have felt this exact way but never knew how to express it. “Empty Drawer” is perfect. Those milestone moments are always a cause for reflection, I think. /jackie
I can definitely relate. After being so excited for my oldest to potty train, I felt some sadness when we were finally done with diapers for good. Don’t get me wrong, I was thrilled, but there was a little part of me that was strangely sad about it. The diapers were the last “baby” thing about him, and when they were gone I had to admit he wasn’t a baby anymore. It’s bittersweet for sure.