If our children are anything, they're consistent.
When they want something, their mind is focused until they achieve their goal, and who can blame the little go-getters?
However, as a parent, sometimes there is nothing more frustrating than when they constantly repeat 'just one more time' with a big cheesy pleading face and wide eyes.
Every now and again instead of taking on their request, we simply change the subject or say no; but Cassie Hilt has given us a kind reminder as to why we shouldn't do so.
Taking to The Chronicles of Motherhood, Cassie explains how even though kids need to learn 'no', it is you who will regret not doing the 'one more time'.
"There will always be laundry to fold and dishes to wash. Bank accounts to balance and projects to tackle. But one of these times that they ask me, 'Mummy, just one more time?', it will be the last."
There is a first time for everything in this life, but so too is there a last time and the mum-of-three perfectly tugs on our heart strings reinforcing her point about the very last time.
"The last time they want to dance in the kitchen with me, or have me read them a story before bed. The last time they need help in the bath, or the last time they want me to try the 'ice cream' they created in the sand."
"The last time they ask me to pick them up and give them just one more kiss before I Ieave the house. The last time their little hand reaches up for mine to safely guide them across the street."
"The last time they hop onto my lap and wrap their arms around my neck so tight that it hurts."
And it will come; there will be a time when your child no longer needs you for these 'simple' tasks anymore, and you will feel a loss.
"I know this day will come; I’m just not sure when it will be. I do, however, know that I won’t be ready when it arrives."
"But with every last time with my children, I try to remind myself that there will be many new firsts to look forward to as well."
But while there will be a tonne of firsts to look forward to, it doesn't mean you shouldn't treasure what could easily become your last.
"So you see, with every last, a new first is right around the corner. In the meantime, I will do my best to cherish each and every 'one last time'."
So, the next time our tots ask us to build Lego or re-watch frozen, just one last time, we might be inclined to say yes with a coy smile.
