8 Underrated Kid Milestones

Every child hits these "other" milestones sooner or later. But nobody talks about them--so we are!

We wait expectantly for all the misty watercolored memories of childhood: first smile, first steps, first day of kindergarten.  Those are the “awww” firsts. But what about the “huh?!” firsts? Experienced parents know them well. These magical moments probably won’t make your Facebook page, but they too are signs your baby is growing up. Grab the tissues…and brace yourself!

1. Your Baby’s First drama-free drop off

Since she started daycare, drop off has been a stressful screech fest. Day after day, you pried her off your legs and headed to work with your heart breaking. Then one morning, you put her down, turn to the teacher to give her the usual distraction high sign, and…wait, where is she? Is that your child, smiling with that little redheaded boy in the book nook? The teacher, practically giddy, urgently whispers “Just go!” So you do. And she doesn’t even notice. What the heck just happened? It’s good…you think. But somehow your heart is still breaking as you head to work.

2. Your Baby’s First “H+&lY S*@t!!”

He’s tracking your every word in an effort to acquire advanced language—and, as you like to tell yourself, to be just like you. Naturally, he practices by imitating you. So adorable! Until a curse word slips out. This will happen in front of your most self-righteous mom friend. Or, your mother in law. And you’re thinking exactly the same thing. H+&lY S*@t.

3. Your Baby’s First try at chores

Oh, how we parents look forward to the day when the kids are old enough to help us. This thought is what keeps us going when the sink can no longer contain the dirty dishes and the bathroom floor is invisible under damp towels. And then one day, you hear a small voice say, “I help.” Then, when your face shows a flicker of hesitation, “MAMA I HEEELLLLLLLLPPP!”  You finally have that assistant, you do, “helping” you stir pancake batter, “sweep” the floor, “fold” the laundry, and so on. And with that “help,” your workload has increased tenfold.

4. Your Baby’s First fib

You, of course, have always taught them the importance of honesty. And the whole “treat others the way you’d like to be treated” thing seemed to have sunk in nicely. Until you hear a crash…or the kitten wail in distress…or something that just doesn’t sound right. You rush in, and there stands your little angel, next to a broken picture frame, a wild-eyed Mittens confined to a waste basket, or that thing that was, in fact, not right. “I didn’t do it!” she blurts out. You pause. Did she just lie? To you? Yes. Yes she did.