Having four children in a span of five years has meant keeping them together for many things. For example, there was a period of years that, following outdoor playtime, I would put all four in the tub together. Sometimes I would fill the bath, and other times I would just hose 'em all down. Now, my 7 yo has been showering herself for quite some time, as have the twins. At times, she has requested help with water temperature or getting soap out of her hair. But that still left me with my little guy. And, as with all his other developmental milestones, I have not exactly been pushing my baby bird out of the nest. I cannot be accused of neglecting to make sure he is maturing, but rather, I have been careful not to unnecessarily hurry him.

Tonight, however, my little man announced he was "weddy to twy to take my own showerr". All he asked was that I adjust the water for him, and provide him with a washcloth for over his face when he rinses - this last request simply being an interim thing until he has "mastered" the whole concept. Soooo, that is it for me. No more little bodies needing my attention to get all the dirt off, no more little heads being scrubbed by Mommy, no more screeches of "Help! The water is in my eyes and I am drowning!"

Tomorrow, one of my little girls will turn 11, and today my little boy took his own shower. What is going on here? And what will become of me, now that my little staircase of babies have all graduated from the communal tub?