For Moms with Grown Children...

Remember not to sweat the small stuff. Everything works itself out. Dont get so stressed out about every little thing. It makes everything that much harder. Just remember to slow down and relax!! They are little only once, so take the time to enjoy those precious moments!

And take lots of photos! As many as you can. Its always fun to go back and look at how much they have grown.

Don't sweat the small stuff.
Enjoy every minute.
Be involved in their activities -- if they are in Karate, you do it, too.
If they are in band, you volunteer. If there is a field trip, be the chaperone. If the school asks for help, give it. If the teacher needs a room mom, you do it.
Just being there makes all the difference. My kids know that I am at everything for them. I've not missed a concert (except when I was in the hospital awaiting gallbladder surgery), a play, a performance, a field trip, nothing... They understand that there are some kids' parents who can't come, but they feel bad when they see the same kids without their parents. They don't understand how some parents can't be bothered to show up at a band concert... My husband has not missed a concert or a performance -- and he works full time over an hour from home.
Be there.
LBC

In addition to the great suggestions, I would say take them on as many trips as possible--the beach, mountains, historic sites, museums etc. And teach them how to do things, as well as learn new things with them, like snow skiing, hiking, swimming, boating, camping, etc.

Take tons of pictures, really.
I have a 13 year old and a 3 year old. One of the things that get me the most is when we are watching the little one doing something and my olderst one ask me when were her first, I was so focus in work that I miss many stuff, no the big ones like walking but others as cute as those. I wish I would have stop sometimes and take more pictures of her =(
Is never to late so now I not only take pictures but videoS.

Like you said, "slow down and enjoy the time now."

I don't know how to make you stop, I'm not good at it either (except when I mess around on this site.)

You WILL regret it if you don't enjoy this time now. And after they are about 10, things change. They are still cute and enjoyable, but in a different way. And time FLIES after that.

I know you won't be able to do this all the time, but when you are with them, occasionally really stop and be in the moment, savoring everything about your precious babies. I was almost always there physically, but too often not there mentally, if you know what I mean.

Oh yes, and as Mallory suggests -- journal! You won't remember most things otherwise. Also I completely agree with her suggestion not to sweat the small stuff. And let them help! as another mom suggests. So many good suggestions.

And pictures are great, but videos are better. Take lots.

take pictures and videos, write a journal & keep baby books... its crazy to imagine what you might forget & how hard it is to remember who did what and when! Savour every moment, they pass FAR too quickly!

Take more pictures and video tape them.
Write the silly things they say and do down.
Tell them you love them everyday, even when they are completely pissed off and hate you.
Let the house go, if the kids are happy then a messy kitchen is just a messy kitchen. It'll get done.
It's OK to not be their friend when they are being really stupid teenagers, you are the parent, and it;s' ok to be one.
Love them unconditionally. No matter what, love them through it.

One thing I really wish that I would have done is journal. Even just a couple sentences a week. Because the thing is...as much as you might think you could NEVER forget that funny saying that they used to have, you will. My boys are 7 & 9 and my memories of when they were 4&3 are already very hazy. And the sadder thing is-they don't really remember much at all themselves. I took my oldest to music class every week and I thought it was the best thing in the world-and he has no recall of it :-(

I would also strongly advise to not sweat the small stuff. I used to get so annoyed at the store with the boys. Instead of just enjoying them and coming to terms with it I would get so irritated. And now I miss them and the time we had together going shopping and running errands SO badly. I have all the time in the world now to run errands by myself and I don't even really enjoy it nearly as much as I did when I had my buddies with me.

Well mine aren't 'grown-grown' but almost 21 and almost 17.

I think you've already realized the biggest part, you know time is flying by and you need to make the memories last. And realize what's important. I've told younger moms that it really is OK if they miss a nap, eat cake for dinner and the dog licks them in the face! Trust me as they get older, the issues get bigger.

Speaking of which, I know you can't imagine them driving since they are so young, but they WILL get a ticket when they start driving and they WILL have an accident. You just hope both are minor! Our oldest got his first ticket just 4 days after he got his license. He thought we'd go nuts! No, because he was paying for it and any increase in insurance.

We were never good at taking movies/videos of the kids but I took LOTS of pictures. Last year I started scanning and organizing the pictures which was a lot of fun and started fun conversations.

I wish I would have truly written everything down that they did or said cute, like I said I was going to! I remember a lot, and there are still things happening! But I'm sure I've forgotten a lot too.

Be involved but don't hover, if that makes sense? I've never played softball in my life! But our youngest is a competitive player. We go to every game. My husband is the official scorekeeper and I'm the 'team mom'.

Especially during the teen years, we make our home the place the kids want to hang out. I know what they are doing, who they are with and where they are! Which is more memories. Our son had 24 (25 with him) in our basement a few years ago for a Super Bowl party.

But most importantly love them, hug them and enjoy every minute!

Gosh, I"m sure there is so much more. Its a great question and I look forward to reading the responses.

Write everything down! Wherever and however it's easiest to do--on the calendar (then keep them), blog, journal, word document, etc.

I think it's about the only true advice I got when my son was born: it goes SO fast!

Be silly with them, live in the moment, explore, share the world with them, be adventurous and embrace serendipity (even with a diaper bag!).

Wait ten years and have another one, that's MY advice! I wish I'd had!

:(

Too funny I was going to say don't wait 9 years and have another kid or kids since that is what I did. Then I read Theresa's post. oops

I would say remember what it was like to be a kid and play with them. Parents these days have all this structured fun. My older two seem to remember things like when I showed them how to climb trees. My younger two it is getting real dirty in the garden. That is the one benefit to the second set, I play with them more.

I adopted my third when my kids were 14 and 17. I had a much different attitude with him because I really KNEW how quickly they grow up and prefer time with their friends. I enjoyed raising my first two very much but with my third, I knew he was my last and I knew he would grow up too quickly. Even though I worked full time, I treasured sleepless nights as a time to cuddle a baby with no interruptions or distractions. When I got too busy trying to keep up with the house work and errands on my evenings and weekends, I "scheduled" in some fun on a regular basis, a Mommy and Me gymnastics class or a bike ride to the playground. If he is sick and cranky I get to mother him more! I see everything as an opportunity.

my DD is just six months and i am now realizing how time flies by swiftly.. its like yesterday i just had her but now she eats grown up food, she expresses herself, she babbles, her attitude and behavior is like of an adult already... im trying to slow down enjoying every day of her infancy... i take pictures of her all the time.. we sleep together.. she is in between us.. she wakes up everytime i get out of bed she likes to be cuddles and hugged when she is sleeping... loving every minute of it.. good luck to US... good luck to all moms..