Embracing Parenthood: Growing Up, Growing Together
Our house is full. Not just full, but bursting at the seams in the best possible way. Full of people, full of noise, full of stories being lived out all at once. Some days it feels like controlled chaos, and other days it feels like a deep exhale. What it always feels like, though, is home.
Two of my children are now adults in their twenties, and that still feels strange to write. One is a carpenter, working with his hands, creating and building things that will outlast a moment. The other is an engineer, analytical and thoughtful, approaching the world with a completely different mindset. They could not be more different in how they think and move through life, yet both are grounded, hardworking, and kind. Watching them grow into men with careers, routines, and responsibilities of their own has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. It is a mix of pride and disbelief that these are the same children who once needed help tying their shoes and finding missing toys.
Both of their girlfriends live with us, and that alone has added a new layer of warmth to our family. They did not simply move into a house. They embraced a household, a rhythm, and a family that is loud, close, and imperfect. They have become part of our everyday life in ways that feel natural and genuine. There are shared meals, inside jokes, and conversations that stretch late into the evening. Seeing my sons loved and supported in this way fills my heart, and seeing their partners feel safe and at home under our roof is something I never take for granted.
Then there are my younger two. My youngest son is sixteen, standing right in that in-between space where he is no longer a child but not quite an adult. My daughter is thirteen, curious, creative, and finding her own voice. They bring a completely different energy into the house, one that reminds me daily how many stages of life can exist under one roof. There are school bags and school uniforms alongside work boots by the door and conversations about careers and futures. It is a constant reminder that time does not slow down, even when we wish it would.
Our household is full to the brim, but it is full of love and laughter. Every person brings something unique into the mix. They are all so different in personality, interests, and outlook, yet there is a sense of togetherness that runs through our home. It shows up in the small moments. Someone suggesting that they all go out for breakfast or a meal. A spontaneous board game set up in the dining room, with laughter echoing down the hallway. These moments are never planned, but they are the ones I treasure most.
One of my favourite things to witness is the relationship between the girls in the house. My sons’ girlfriends make such an effort with my daughter, always including her, always making space for her to belong. Whether they are heading out together to The Range to pick up baking supplies or wandering the aisles looking for arts and crafts, there is a genuine sense of care and connection. Watching my daughter feel included and valued by people older than her reminds me how important it is to feel seen at that age. Those moments matter more than we realise.
As I write this post, I can hear the girls doing the dishes together, playing various songs on Alexa, and singing along.
Living in a house like this is not always easy. There is noise, there are dishes, there are moments when everyone seems to need something at the same time. Privacy can be limited, and patience is sometimes tested. But there is also something incredibly grounding about knowing that, as busy as it is, it will not last forever. One day the house will be quieter. The bedrooms will empty. The laughter will echo differently. That knowledge makes me hold on a little tighter to the now.
I am learning that parenting does not end when children grow up. It simply changes shape. With my older children, hubby and I guide less and listen more. We watch from the sidelines, offering support when needed and trusting the foundation we built together. With my younger two, Hubby and I are still in the thick of it, teaching, encouraging, and learning alongside them. It is a balancing act that shifts daily, and we are figuring it out as we go.
Our home is not perfect, but it is real. It is filled with people who choose to be together, who share meals, laughter, and space. In a world that moves so fast, I am grateful for this season where our house is full to the brim. One day, I will look back and miss the noise, the mess, and the constant togetherness. For now, I am soaking it all in, knowing that this chapter, messy and beautiful, is one I will carry with me forever.
About me
I am a married mother of four children. One of those children is our granddaughter, for whom we are legal guardians and kinship carers. I run a small business, and I love to write, which is how this blog came to be. I write about family life, kinship care, and my experiences living with chronic illness and disability, including ME CFS, spinal stenosis, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia. I am also very aware that I am doing all of this in my mid-forties, which still surprises me some days.
