Dear ones, 15 (!). Written out: Fifteen. My older daughter turns 15 this week. I often think: where has the time gone – which is rubbish, of course. Because when I look at photos as a new mum of just 29, I know that there is a lot of time between then and now. And that a lot has really happened in that time.
For example, the softest and smallest of my babies (2500 grams, 49 centimetres) has become a teenager. Anyone who held this mini-baby back then could not have imagined that she would ever grow into a big person. Today she is: a big person, a great person.
It’s certainly not easy being the eldest of four children. Especially recently, I’ve often said to her: „Can you give me a hand…, Can you give me a hand…“ Someone is always barging into her room, someone is always chatting – so we need a set time on the sofa in the evening where we can talk to each other in peace.
My big girl was an uncomplicated baby, an uncomplicated toddler. She was happy, slept well, didn’t have any tantrums in the supermarket – and yet I was incredibly insecure. I wanted to do everything particularly well, I once ran around the neighbourhood for an hour and a half looking for sugar-free rusks because I had sworn to myself that the child wouldn’t have any sugar before her first birthday. She had expensive baby equipment, only the best of everything, because at the time I still thought it would have an impact on her development.
I was afraid that she would feel dethroned when her little brother arrived, so I took her to early music education a few days after she was born, where I really thought I was going to keel over. Speaking of early musical education: she was the only one who got to enjoy all the baby programmes. Baby swimming, baby massage, PEKiP, early music education, toddler gymnastics – we did it all. With the siblings, I didn’t have the time or the nerves for it. And just for the record: my daughter is not particularly musical or sporty today, so the courses were not very sustainable đŸ™‚
15 years old and great
Many people warned me. If the child is easy as a toddler, then it will be all the more blatant later on. And anyway: puberty is really tough with a girl. There’s bound to be a lot of bitching. And you have to be particularly careful with a girl. So far I can say: it’s zero point zero bad. I think it’s wonderful to watch her grow. Her world is getting bigger, I’m no longer everywhere, friends are becoming more important and so are her clothes. I think she’s doing a great job of looking after herself so far and she knows that we’re always there to help her when things get dicey.
It’s a gift to watch this new generation of women. How they no longer make many of the mistakes we used to make. How they are starting their future with confidence and intelligence. I am so grateful that she still snuggles up to me every now and then in the evening, tells me about herself and asks me for advice. I can rely on her and she can rely on me.
I’m so proud of the way she’s going so far. And how she is at home with her siblings. I wouldn’t change a thing about her, I love her like crazy. Being 15 was really challenging for me – she’s so much more relaxed. I just hope she stays that way and always has people by her side who are there for her and who she can count on. She has everything she needs to conquer this world.
