Do you enjoy life more with children

[Mommym24]

Although I was free to do what I want before having childrenI find having kids much more fun. What do you think?

[Lilaclily]

Half and half

Some thing are more fun, some things are a lot less fun eg long car journeys, packing, getting them to do homework after a long day at work, not being able to be spontaneous

I can't think what's more fun at the moment; -)

[StealthPolarBear]

Day to day no. I enjoy my days when they're with grandparents. But to some extent that's the novelty factor. In terms of looking ahead, holidays, general future, yes. I feel so much more focused now they're here.

[Whathaveilost]

No, not more,it just took my life into a different direction.
My life as fun before kids and it is fun with them.

[AdelindSchade]

Yes and no. I wouldn't change a thing obviously. And lots of things are more fun and life is generally more sort of purposeful.

But we just had a holiday where dd was giving us a lot of tween grumpy attitude. DH and I said we'll leave her at grannies next time. We won't.

[blueshoes]

Life has more breadth and depth with children. You get a broader perspective because you are forced to slow down and see life from their vantage point. You also have more experiences.

I would feel stuck and stagnated without children. How many luxury holidays or once-in-a-lifetime experiences can one have before it all starts to get samey? At least with children, you are on a life journey with them.

[niceupthedance]

Not enjoy, no. It's more like embracing a challenge.

[cosmicglittergirl]

I'd say less fun to be honest. There's a book about the psychological impact of having children called 'All Joy and No Fun', which I think sums it up well. Mine are both still very young and I've been at home with them the whole time, so maybe that will change. I don't feel my personality has changed since I had them, I'm just more tired and tied down.

[HollyBollyBooBoo]

It's bloody hard work but I didn't anticipate being on my own with DD.

However I wouldn't swop back to my pre child life. I honestly don't know how I filled my time and I wish I'd done more like travel or courses but I just filled it with work.

[motherinferior]

God no. It's much more boring. I'm much more boring. I love my two to bits, but no.

[MarkRuffaloCrumble]

I enjoy it a lot more since divorcing XH so that I now get a day off from it all (and even the odd week's holiday!)

Love them to bits, but my kid free holidays with DP are true relaxing bliss. Holidays with the DCs are fun and busy but not without stress!

[SeveredPixieBits]

No. I love them so much but no.

[TheNotoriousPMT]

How many luxury holidays or once-in-a-lifetime experiences can one have before it all starts to get samey?

I don't know, but I'm guessing lots.

[Dutchcourage]

It's swings and round abouts.

I cannot imagine my house with out my kids being there and making me laugh

BUT

On another level, my friend has just booked to Mexico in a luxury adults only hotel. I got teary at that 😕

[FiveFullFathoms]

No I don't think so.

Before kids I'd probably be enjoying a lazy afternoon in a country pub somewhere today! I also enjoyed last minute weekends away, frequent late nights out etc. I socialised a lot and had a ball.

Now I rarely do those things. I enjoy spending quality time with my children and they are amazing little people who make me laugh and think often. The daily grind isn't much fun though TBH. I'm a single parent and their dad lives 2 hours away so everything is my responsibility pretty much. I find juggling work, childcare, a DD only on nodding terms with sleep and running a household quite stressful. There are moments of pure joy of course. Sometimes seem few and far between though!

But I'm more fulfilled generally now. I feel like my life has more direction and purpose. I love my kids and mostly l like being a mum. But more fun it is not!

[NellWilsonsWhiteHair]

DS is 4 and I am finding him tremendously good fun at the moment. I am a single parent and work full time, but we have thoroughly enjoyable weekends - whether that's going out and doing something special, or just vegging at home, doing the supermarket shop etc. I definitely didn't feel that way before he turned three or so - one or both of us have grown into it.

My life was also fun before I had him, and occasionally I miss that spontaneity. I don't often get much time alone now but when I do I do the sorts of things I enjoyed before, and it's great, but I only need a small fix these days.

I am sure he will become more and less fun as he gets older; and I am certain I will have fun when if he flies the nest. But I'm certainly not wishing time away at this point.

[Whathaveilost]

People going on about once in a life time type holidays and all that can still happen.

Once the children got to being a year old they stayed at mum and dads and we went to some great places and for the rest of our holidays we would go camping in the south of France in May, and go to Spain, Cornwall in August in October and somewhere in Northern Europe at Easter and ski in Febuary.
Once they were about 7 or 8 they also came on the big adventures with us and have toured Canada, Europe and other places. I'd say it was more fun with the kids and we've got great collective memories

On a day to day level it's still been fun. We still have a crowd of people coming around every few weeks but the crowd got bigger with the kids friends parents coming along and now we have girlfriends on the scene which is lovely.

Everything has been better thinking about it with the boys around. My only regret is that I only had two children. My heart wanted four.

[switswoo81]

I'm only 17 months into parenthood and yes I find life more interesting. Today we went to a farm then out for Sunday lunch to a lovely garden cafe. We are revelling in the novelty of beach trips, zoos and farms!
I spent my 20's travelling and having great nights out however as it took a long time to get dd all of this had stopped in pursuit of her. Sometimes I miss my old life but then I realise it doesn't exist any more as all my travelling and drinking companions are now leading a life like mine. We do like to meet at soft play and reminisce.

[corythatwas]

More, definitely more. And though drinking stopped, travelling doesn't have to (as long as you still have any money left): several family members have taken toddlers inter-railing, and we did at least manage France and Spain.

[MoMandaS]

niceup at embracing a challenge!

[MargaretCabbage]

More fun here. I'm not really into partying and have never been able to afford luxury holidays anyway. I absolutely love trips to the beach and zoo, picnics in the park, etc. Going to Drayton Manor recently was really exciting because I couldn't wait to see my son's face when he saw Thomas. Life is harder, but definitely more fun for me.

[SitsOnFence]

Mine are 6 and 7, and are really great fun. Life pre-children was fun too, but I would agree that it's more fun now. Excluding the odd whine and sibling-squabble, at this age they're also genuinely interesting company. DH was away this weekend, but I've still managed to laugh until I cry and chat about all sorts of random crap.

I think it's fair to say that they were less fun when they were younger though. Still gorgeous and rewarding and all that, but definitely less fun.

[Buttwing]

Nope definitely not. I have four dc three are 5 or under at the moment it's very very hard work, anything nice I want to do is not possible at the moment. Even going to a christening today with 4 different kids entertainers there was ridiculously hard going.

[Savagebeauty]

I'm glad mine are teens and independent. I love being able to go out , weekends away etc without having to worry about them.
I hated having young children but I think that was more to do with loathing my ex.

[Solopower1]

Now that I'm a granny, I love taking my grandchildren places and doing arty-crafty things with them. Grannyhood is sheer delight! But when they were little, life sometimes seemed like endless drudgery, picking up after them, organising them, getting them on and off buses, in and out of cars, up and down the stairs, thinking of what we were all going to eat every day, spending hour after boring hour at the playground just waiting for them to tire themselves out ... In spite of that though there were hilarious moments and flashes of joy - lots of them, especially at night when they were asleep ...

I miss them when they are not there now, and it's taking me a while to get a sense of myself back, after 40 years of almost continuous childcare.

[AppleSetsSail]

I found the toddler years pretty hard work, but I cannot imagine my life without my children. I'd be lost.