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Original poster

Do you miss your kids being young?

78 replies

LydiaLunch7 · 18/09/2018 20:54

Lighthearted disclaimer!

My kids are 4 and 2 and they're just so cute and cuddly. I feel like I'm really gonna miss that when they're older.

Although I'm sure I'll enjoy [slightly] more adult conversation and [lots] more sleep!

Does everyone with older kids desperately miss the times when they were young and innocent??

OP posts:

SleepFreeZone · 18/09/2018 21:17

I have a five and two year old and it’s a bloody nightmare most of the time. I don’t miss them being babies and I suspect I won’t miss them being this age 😬

The only thing I will absolutely, definitely miss is squishing cheeks and feet. But you can’t keep having babies just to squidge them. That’s what cats are for

curlykaren · 18/09/2018 21:17

Fuck no. A lottery win couldn't coax me into having another baby. I've much more enjoyed 5 onwards.

Shockers · 18/09/2018 21:18

Yes.

Pathetic I know, but my youngest has just gone to university and I feel bereft.

We had so many adventures when they were small. We climbed hills looking for Mrs Tiggywinkle, bathed in rivers, built dens in the woods and collected treasures. We camped all summer, made campfires and told each other stories in the dark.

I need grandchildren!

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Munchmallow · 18/09/2018 21:18

Oh yes, I get very sad when I think about them as babies and toddlers and how I was the centre of their world. I loved the primary school stage too.

Glad to know I'm not the only one.

BertieBotts · 18/09/2018 21:18

No - am I weird?? I really don't. DS1 is 10 and I don't want him to be little again. Little him was gorgeous, snuggly, cute and funny but he's him now. If that makes sense? And I don't want to go back and stress over all his stresses again, even though I suppose I wouldn't be so worried. It's nice that he's quite self sufficient too.

However I also have 4 week old DS2. And I am loving him being this age. I definitely want to drink every minute up and enjoy every baby snuggle and I want lots of pictures, video and memories but I don't think I'll miss it.

I love their changing. I like to discover each new thing about them. It would be boring to do it again. I do love looking at photos and video of them younger, though. Their baby voices

Munchmallow · 18/09/2018 21:20

SleepFreeZone I think I need to get a cat

stellabird · 18/09/2018 21:22

Mine aren't even older kids - they are adults. And yes I do miss all of that closeness and fun. I Loved every part of their childhoods, from birth to those wonderful times when they were teenagers - yes I even loved those years, seeing them slowly becoming the people they are now. I still enjoy their company and see them ( and their DCs) often, but yes I miss those " wonder years" when they were young .

NoShitHemlock · 18/09/2018 21:23

It depends on the day - no way would I want a baby again as I'm far too old for that (according to 12yr old DD), but said 12yr old has just turned into Kevin and can actually roll her eyes so hard that you hear them hit the back of her head......

So today, yes, I would love my little 7yr old pudding back!

Catsandbootsandbootsandcats · 18/09/2018 21:24

Sometimes. Oldest is 19, youngest 11. They are easy to leave now, which means I can go out. But they are smellier and more argumentative. But they are able to do lots of housework. But they aren't cuddly (though the youngest likes a snuggle in the morning still)

DemocracyDiesInDarkness · 18/09/2018 21:27

I don't really.

At every single age I've thought this is my favourite part so far.

It gets better when they can wipe their own arses. And last week DS has this great moment when he suddenly got not just the joke, but why it was funny. Leaps like that are really something to see. I love it.

Original poster

LydiaLunch7 · 18/09/2018 21:29

At every single age I've thought this is my favourite part so far

That's it! That's how it's been for me. So I guess I've wonder at what point that will no longer be true. At some point do you think "oh wait, I'm not at my favourite part anymore".

Maybe when they move out?

OP posts:

Yourcupwillneverempty · 18/09/2018 21:29

I don't know but I do know I was absolutely shocked when I had my first (and still am now I have a 4yr old and 10mth old) that clearly my parents didn't love me as much as I love my children because I left home, I went out without them, I went away for a week (!) with grandparents/ school etc. I crossed roads ON MY OWN and still do, I got a job. How can my babies ever do that? They're my babies! (Cries and tries not to damage my children by never letting them go.)
I do want them to be older sometimes though so we can do new things we can't really do now. I look forward to the weekends we can have about 5 years from now.

Chocolatecake12 · 18/09/2018 21:32

I miss the days when they rely on you so much and you are the centre of their world.
Then they start school and you gradually lose that dependance as each year passes.
My eldest is 16 and my youngest is 11. I still get lovely cuddles, but they’re fewer than the younger days. They are growing into young men and I’m proud of them and myself for getting them there!
Each stage comes with its best bits and worse bits. For me the teenage years have been far more challenging than any other stage. But that’s only because they develop their own opinions (teenagers know it all and are always right)

CormoranStrike · 18/09/2018 21:38

Yes; mine are now in my twenties - as children I always said I loved every stage. I’ve found their 20s the hardest!

Topseyt · 18/09/2018 21:41

I can't really say that I miss them being very young. It was bloody hard work.

Yes, they were lovely, cute and cuddly, but now that they are virtually grown up (youngest is 16 now) they are much more independent and I have some of "me" back. And yes, they are still lovely, and funny.

threesenoughthanks · 18/09/2018 21:48

I always feel a little bit sad when I see a mum walking hand in podgy hand with a toddler. Mine are 13, 15 and 17 now and still like hugs and being tucked into bed, which is lovely, but I still miss them being little occasionally. However, teens can be hilarious.

AlevelConfusion · 18/09/2018 21:49

As much as you love your kids today, you're mourning the little people they used to be and who are gone forever. Sniff.

That's exactly how I feel, knowing I'll never see those little kids again, it's so sad I can't think about it
I love them now as teenagers but how did they morph into nearly-grown ups, in front of my eyes, without me noticing?
Make the most of every second OP, I do envy you

Stupomax · 18/09/2018 21:52

I go back and forth on this. Yes I miss some bits of it. But I don't miss the overall grind and hard work.

Mine are teenagers now and they are far more awesome and funny than I ever thought teenagers could be.

DemocracyDiesInDarkness · 18/09/2018 21:52

I feel the opposite to that, I am so much looking forward to seeing who they become, and all the moments that get us there. I'm excited for the future with them. It's not sad for me at all.

Wedontbelievewhatsontv · 18/09/2018 21:55

omg yes!!! I have 2 fabulous teenagers but 2- 5 years were SO special 😍

Iusedtobecarmen · 18/09/2018 22:16

Do i miss them being little?OMG yes only about a million per cent.
This thread has made me cry
Eldest is late teens. Younger dc are 10 and 8 so still young.
On one hand I love them growing up as we have such fun at times. Good conversations and they are dead funny. But sad to say but I mainly grieve for them being properly little.
I think about all the little games we played and pushing them in their pushchair. I feel I didn't appreciate it at the time!!
I could just about bear it if they didn't get any older.but time is flying.
I sound like a saddo.

zoobud · 18/09/2018 22:20

I'm going to hide this thread as I'm laying with my three year old on me and it's making me feel sick that this time will pass

SleepFreeZone · 18/09/2018 22:27

I definitely notice all the older ladies staring at me and my two year old when we’re walking hand in hand so sadly I don’t think the yearning ever passes. My MIL (now 80) said that everytime I catch someone elderly looking at me and the children they are reliving their past with their own children. That makes me feel sad and yep, I notice it a lot.

I’m an older mum so I’m hoping that I won’t get too whimsical about it and I imagine my two boys might have kids in their twenties so hopefully I’ll get to squidge a few grandchildren before I die.

Wizzwazzwas · 18/09/2018 22:32

Yes, a little bit.

But, sorry to be really serious, a friend's little boy died when he was two, and she would give anything to have seen him grow up. It makes me really aware of what a privilege it is.

I guess we just have to try to enjoy each phases as much as we can.

ChoudeBruxelles · 18/09/2018 22:33

Sometimes but mostly not. I get to sleep at the weekends and can send ds to the local shops to get things when we need them (wish I could write him a note to bring home wine sometimes )

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