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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I was so tired, but so happy, now i’m just so tired

213 replies

Whereisthegrassasgreen · 27/05/2026 11:26

When Dd was smaller and I was fortunate enough to be with her until school at 5. I just loved the life so much, all the friends meet ups, the days out, the baking and crafts at home, the little shows and sitting cuddled up.
She’s now 7, i’m back at work, life doesn’t have anywhere near the same fulfilment or happiness

Was that the best it could get, I got five years of my perfect life, god I miss it so much

OP posts:
Whereisthegrassasgreen · 27/05/2026 11:41

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 27/05/2026 11:34

Are you working full time? I found working part time was a good balance for me that gave me days with my kids but also the benefits of working.

I work part time, but I still feel life is so rushed these days

OP posts:
Whereisthegrassasgreen · 27/05/2026 11:41

ForgottenPasswordNewAccount · 27/05/2026 11:31

Yes, I had 3 months stress leave last year. It was so lovely, enjoying coffee with friends, doing school drops and pick ups.

Baking making lovely dinners - Oh to win th lottery and just enjoy my life

Yes I think this all the time too. Everything feels so rushed now, even when I’m with her, there is often work commitments in the background or we have clubs or she goes to friends houses. I know this is all fantastic and wonderful for her, I just miss the way it was and didn’t realise it went that quickly

OP posts:
TheignT · 27/05/2026 11:40

I think it's lovely to hear this. I feel so sad when people are breaking up and it's all I sacrificed my career to bring up his children, my pension is less/I missed promotion etc. Having those years with your child, loving that time is such a privilege.

There will be other great times, mum and teenage daughter on holiday in Paris is one I remember fondly. It won't be the same but it will be good.

Whereisthegrassasgreen · 27/05/2026 11:38

PeachySmile2 · 27/05/2026 11:30

YANBU at all! DD is 4 months old and I am seriously seriously thinking about not returning to work. I have never been this happy or appreciated life this much. Honestly for me, it cannot get better than this. I can’t understand why people complain so much and can’t wait to return to work. Each day with her is better than the last, I cannot even contemplate returning to the miserable corporate world and not being with my baby girlie every day.

That’s so lovely 💓 if you can, I would stay off as long as you can, such a cliche, but it does really go so fast

OP posts:
madnessitellyou · 27/05/2026 11:38

Whereisthegrassasgreen · 27/05/2026 11:35

It wasn’t just about taking them to groups as a toddler? There was much more to it, I enjoyed being with her all the time, watching her grow, teaching her, being in our own little world a lot of the time, breastfeeding..all of it

But this was exactly my point.

There is so, so much more to come. Honestly the bit before school is the start of it.

Nihongo · 27/05/2026 11:36

Definitely not BU, I’ve had several times where I took a few months off from the corporate grind between jobs, sometimes for travel or just to take a break. It was fabulous.

Some of us just prefer a simpler way of life, or not having most of our day dictated by the office.

I’d happily be a lady who lunches if I could afford it - sadly I have rent and bills to pay.

Whereisthegrassasgreen · 27/05/2026 11:35

madnessitellyou · 27/05/2026 11:29

Being a parent is not just about the bit before school. You’ve years and years ahead of you to enjoy. You’ll look at your dc when they’re 18 and think “Wow, I did that”.

I think it’s really sad to think that you can only feel fulfilled at being a parent because you took them to groups as a toddler. There’s so much more to it than that.

And fwiw it’s great you’ve gone back to work.

It wasn’t just about taking them to groups as a toddler? There was much more to it, I enjoyed being with her all the time, watching her grow, teaching her, being in our own little world a lot of the time, breastfeeding..all of it

OP posts:
GargoylesofBeelzebub · 27/05/2026 11:34

Are you working full time? I found working part time was a good balance for me that gave me days with my kids but also the benefits of working.

ForgottenPasswordNewAccount · 27/05/2026 11:31

Yes, I had 3 months stress leave last year. It was so lovely, enjoying coffee with friends, doing school drops and pick ups.

Baking making lovely dinners - Oh to win th lottery and just enjoy my life

PeachySmile2 · 27/05/2026 11:30

YANBU at all! DD is 4 months old and I am seriously seriously thinking about not returning to work. I have never been this happy or appreciated life this much. Honestly for me, it cannot get better than this. I can’t understand why people complain so much and can’t wait to return to work. Each day with her is better than the last, I cannot even contemplate returning to the miserable corporate world and not being with my baby girlie every day.

madnessitellyou · 27/05/2026 11:29

Being a parent is not just about the bit before school. You’ve years and years ahead of you to enjoy. You’ll look at your dc when they’re 18 and think “Wow, I did that”.

I think it’s really sad to think that you can only feel fulfilled at being a parent because you took them to groups as a toddler. There’s so much more to it than that.

And fwiw it’s great you’ve gone back to work.

seaskysand · 27/05/2026 11:29

sending love - it’s hard - there is so much to look forward with your little one but you have to plan it, rather than it just being normality. i can tell you that it has given me so much joy to see my child blossom with her peers. 💐💐💐

whiteroseredrose · 27/05/2026 11:28

Yes. The SAHM child rearing years were my best years, there is no getting away from that.

But you do have wonderful years ahead as your DD grows and develops her personality.