Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What’s your favourite thing about your kids getting older?

39 replies

MidoriNoRingo · 10/08/2025 20:57

Thought it might be nice to have a nicer thread for a change!

My eldest is 11 and when I come home knackered from work she is now old enough to cook us all dinner. (Which she loves doing by the way!)

what’s been your favourite things about your children growing up?

OP posts:
notanothersummercold · 10/08/2025 21:34

Being able to leave her so l can go out - not panicking about leaving work dead on time to do the school run. Watching her have a wicked sense of humour and having a bit of friendly banter with people but knowing exactly when to stop.

mismomary · 10/08/2025 21:33

Mine are 16 and 13 and going out for dinner with them now is a real pleasure, great chat, funny people.

FoxRedPuppy · 10/08/2025 21:33

That they sleep in and I no longer have 5-6am wake ups!

That they can amuse themselves and we don’t have to have planned days out.

They are teens and make me cups of tea, help me do stuff around the house (if I ask!).

Iris2020 · 10/08/2025 21:32

Being old enough to play together so I don't have to entertain all the time!

Clingfilm · 10/08/2025 21:32

The jokes and humour.
Being able to leave them at home and go out spontaneously for a pint/gym/shop/in the garden for an hour, even out to work!
They can feed themselves and clean up after themselves (to an extent...).
LIE INS. We get up before them these days.

PhaseFour · 10/08/2025 21:30

I love how funny they are. They make me belly laugh often. My youngest two are teenagers. I especially like the relationships that my DCs have with each other. I was telling them this the other day, - that I am so grateful for them, and how happy it makes me that they have such a strong bond. They regularly socialise together through choice, and appreciate each other.

Can I just point out that they also drive each other mad sometimes!

BrunchBarBandit · 10/08/2025 21:28

My oldest is 17 and we’ve allowed him to have 3 parties in our house in the last year and they’ve all been brilliant. 30-40 teenagers each time and I know a lot of them so when I do my checking-about-rounds, I get dragged into dancing. Got to say I love it.

BrunchBarBandit · 10/08/2025 21:28

My oldest is 17 and we’ve allowed him to have 3 parties in our house in the last year and they’ve all been brilliant. 30-40 teenagers each time and I know a lot of them so when I do my checking-about-rounds, I get dragged into dancing. Got to say I love it.

millymoo1202 · 10/08/2025 21:26

My youngest is 20 and great company, he took me out for lunch today which was lovely

Spooky2000 · 10/08/2025 21:24

That they moved out 😁

FloraBotticelli · 10/08/2025 21:23

Being able to go out for a walk and leave DS at home e.g. when I get up earlier than him at the weekend. As a sole parent it’s incredible not being so tied to DS/the house all the time!

Also he says ‘honey, I’m home!’ when he gets home which is quite sweet :)

BeMellowAquaSquid · 10/08/2025 21:20

Watching decent films and not cartoons!

SteakBakesAndHotTakes · 10/08/2025 21:16

They start being more independent and actively helpful.
Having interesting chats with them about life.
Sharing my own interests with them (hobbies, books, films etc)
Seeing them grow up and become their own people

TotallyKerplunked · 10/08/2025 21:13

DS1 is 13 and the best thing is being able to have a proper conversation and not just pretend to be interested in a monologue about star wars. He can also make a perfect cuppa.

Swipe left for the next trending thread