Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To envy friends with older children

132 replies

Noisytrain · 01/07/2024 12:45

I know this would sound silly but I have started to envy my friends who have older children than ours.
For context, I am currently pregnant and have a 2 yo DS. I just turned 35 and had my first one at 31. I have friends who are late thirties but their DC are going to start secondary school this year and another one in primary school. I envy them because it feels like they have easy lives with bit more time as DC are bit independent now while I am still going to be looking after toddler and newborn. Most days I am utterly exhausted and massively regret not having DC earlier in late 20s but then again I wasn't even sure until 30 if we wanted any DC. Overall I have a decent life with helpful DH and adorable DC who I going through terrible 2s, though we have no family to support us with childcare etc, which makes it quite hard but I should just get on and accept my reality in life and carry on I guess.

OP posts:
LinseedCrackers · 01/07/2024 12:56

Well, I had DS at 39 and thee-quarters, and from my POV, other people wasted their 20s and 30s raising small children. They possibly pity me for having a 12 year old at 51. Swings and roundabouts.

35965a · 01/07/2024 12:55

I had mine in my early 20s, mid 30s now and it is easier. However, no matter what age you have them, the first few years are tough going.

Treelichen · 01/07/2024 12:54

Everyone with older kids has gone through the stage you are at. It's hard work but you just need to suck it up.

Buffysoldersister · 01/07/2024 12:53

Having friends with older kids is really useful - you get to find out about places to go / things to do when yours are older, info on schools, parenting pitfalls. Plus it's great for your DC to socialise with kids of different ages. Each age / stage has it's own challenges. The early years grind is hard but think how much you would have resented it if you weren't ready for it, and all the things you did on your 20s which you couldn't have otherwise done.

Mrsjayy · 01/07/2024 12:52

Honestly 35 Is young still. And the friends with older kids just went through the same as you just because they were younger doesn't mean they had it any easier.

Sunnyjac · 01/07/2024 12:49

Every age is difficult. It never gets easier, just that their needs change.

Greenlittecat · 01/07/2024 12:48

I know how you feel. Remember though, they went through the slog you're going through now, they're just the other side of it and you will be too one day!

Swipe left for the next trending thread