I miss them being small

[ssd]

was just sitting out the back there, it's a nice night but very quiet...I remember not so long ago when the garden was full of kids, paddling pool out, slide and swing being used, or further back when ds1 was peddling his little trike down the path and loving it!

now they are growing up, teens, great boys but almost men...and I miss the days when they called me mummy and their gran was alive but that's another thread

it goes so fast, doesn't it..

[usernumbernine]

I agree and hugs.

I've just dropped one off to a friend's for tea and then they're going to a houseparty and I'm doing pick up at 1am and the other one is on their way home and just texted to say I'm not to cook they're getting pizza and paying for it.

Makes me feel sad. (Yes, even the free pizza!)

[missyB1]

Yes I totally understand, it's a difficult adjustment sometimes. I'm terrible for being nostalgic and wanting to rewind the clock xx

[ssd]

I'm terrible for this too.

Thing is, I longed for the days I'd get some time to myself and could leave the house alone, we never had any babysitters, never had help or nights away together, it was always just us and the kids and it was never ending.....but I'd like to go back to those days, just for a wee while, to see their faces and get them cuddling me sitting on my lap.

[Cambazola]

ssd - yes those sunny evenings in the garden. I'm missing it too - esp this eve as can't even sit in garden and have a nice glass of wine as have got to pick up DS from a party later on (where no doubt many of the guest will have the equivalent or more than one nice glass of wine )

[ArabellaRockerfella]

Me too!
I miss my babies.
When my children thought I was the funniest, cuddliest, most beautiful person and wanted to spend all their time with me.
Now they just think I'm old, boring, embarrassing and know nothing about anything [:(]

[BarneyRumbleton]

Yes, yes. I was sat on the bench, where the sandpit used to be, whistfully, earlier. I felt quite broody.
I love my boys to bits but I don't half miss my babies.

[Paninotogo]

My advice to you is to spend some time with small children, not just a few days but a couple of weeks or more. Having just spent an extended period with a family member with three very small children, I could not wait to get back to my teenagers and my very free and easy lifestyle.

[AnnualFun]

Nice thread op, I need reminding that these busy years will soon vanish and I should try to enjoy them more or even at all, some days!

[EatsShitAndLeaves]

I was thinking that today too whilst trying to get DS off his computer and into the garden .

Then late this evening he just snuggled up on the sofa next to me squashing me as he's bigger than me now as we watched a movie.

He didn't know it, but I had a big bursting out of my heart.

[kateclarke]

I would agree with pp. also, my mum feels like this about my dd and felt the same when I was a teenager.

It made us feel really horrible and like we were not valued as young adults and were wrong for growing up.

However I'm sure you are all not weird like her and don't make your kids feel bad about stuff that they can't help.

[friendlymum67]

Oh l so feel like this too op. I have an 18 year old DS and 14 year Dd and been a single parent for 13 years. l struggled when they were young but l miss our summer days out, them playing in the garden etc, tho Paninotogo probably speaks wise words

[HiDBandSIL]

Thank you for this OP. A reminder for us with little children to try to cherish and not wish away (our of desperation for sleep and free time). I sit with them sometimes and think about how one day I'll wish I was back here with them.

[ssd]

its like that song "you don't know what you've got till its gone"....I think of that now when my teens ask for food/lifts/where's my jeans mum/etc etc......soon they'll be away and flown the nest and it'll just be me and dh sat here looking at each other....

[WandaOver]

Every so often when I'm weeding the garden I find a plastic dinosaur or bouncy ball. Takes me right back to those sandpit days. Building dens and climbing trees.
Mine are both at uni now so we have an empty nest part of the year and then they come back and fill the house with noise and mess.
They do still do stuff with us, and I love teenagers, but I miss their excitement with everything when they were little.

[KikiDeliversCakes]

I miss my kids in a very physical way - they're not cuddly teens. I remember them as toddlers wrapping themselves around me for a cuddle, I miss that.

And the way they were so curious and inquisitive about the world when they were toddlers, their faces lighting up when they discovered something that was amazing to them. They're currently "know it all" teens

[LanaKanesLeftNippleTassle]

After getting massively pissed off at 4yr old DS all morning, cos he keeps getting in my face wanting cuddles and attention, I have read this and now feel

A great reminder not to wish these days away, and to cherish every sticky cuddle and every sloppy kiss!

I often feel I can't wait for more peace, but this has made me realise that you should be careful what you wish for!

[EnjoyYourVegetables]

Agreed. Teens can be lovely but..

[Sparklingbrook]

I miss the days when we used to go to the shops and DS1 would get a 99p Matchbox car and be absolutely thrilled. He would 'brum' it all round the house when he got back making car noises and lining it up with all the others.

Fast foward 13 or so years...

He has just brummed off to work in my car. Waaahh!!

[Violetcharlotte]

Sometimes I think like this but ten o spend time with my brother and his kids and I remember just how much hard work it is!

My niece and nephew are a delight but it's non stop - up at 7, then you're 'on duty' all day, dealing with squabbles, tantrums, soft play, fussy eaters, naps... it's never ending!! There were lots of lovely bits obviously, but I think we put our rose tinted glasses in when we say we miss those days.

I enjoy having teens. I've got so much more time to myself. I can enjoy a conversation with them (well when they're in the right mood anyway!), we can go to the cinema and see something decent, most of the time they're pretty good company.

[wonderingwhatisnormal]

Be proud that you go them through it all. It's no small feat, raising children into adults.

[wonderingwhatisnormal]

*got

[ssd]

sb, that's reminded me of when we used to watch Brum!

[AndNoneForGretchenWieners]

I feel the same about my lad, seems like yesterday he was running around pretending to be Buzz Lightyear, now he's nearly 17 and off to the pub with his friends to watch football and play pool instead. He does melt my heart though, I offered him a lift home from work yesterday but he would have to wait till I finished a bit later - he declined and said he would go home on the bus and make a start on the dinner for when I came in 😍

I do feel sad at no more babies and no more little ones playing in the garden.

[MrsGotobed]

I was only thinking about this yesterday. I miss those light-up smiling faces , arms thrown around your neck and big slobbery hugs when they've been apart from you for short periods of time.

[insancerre]

I can relate to this
I do miss them being small
But I work in a nursery so I am lucky to still have little people in my life