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I wish I knew this when my children were younger

60 replies

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 20/09/2019 22:13

No matter how old your children get, they will still make you laugh, surprise you with how clever they are, make you want to burst with pride and all that lovely stuff that makes you want to squeeze them tight when they are little.

I really loved having toddlers. So much that I’m a childminder, I think they are wonderful. And as my own children grew I worried that I would lose that wonder, that connection, that awe and amazement at how special my children were.

You don’t. I have two teens and a pre teen now. They make me proud everyday, I love listening to their stories, I wonder how they know so much and became so kind. Even though they no longer fit on my laps, I get the warmest hugs.

Honestly, I wish I knew that having older children was as joyful and rewarding as having little ones, I wouldn’t have worried. I know I shouldn’t have, but you always think life is going too fast and that the best years are behind us. They aren’t.

Now I worry about them leaving home instead and empty nest syndrome Grin

OP posts:
GiantHulkHands · 20/09/2019 22:16

That's lovely! I'm happy for you.

JewelTheft · 20/09/2019 22:16

This is lovely to read. Thank you Smile

CookPassBabtridge · 20/09/2019 22:20

Thankyou so much for this. I think about it daily (mine are 2 and 5) They are just so cute and lovely. Oh look I'm crying now Hmm

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Symptomless · 20/09/2019 22:20

Aww that's nice to hear. My own ones are still very little but I'm already thinking about the teen years. Nice to hear it's not just tantrums, mood swings and general awkwardness.

BackforGood · 20/09/2019 22:22

Just to reassure you Georgie - they still need you when they physically move out. You still get hugs when they come back. They are still funny, and they still make you proud Smile

MoodLighting · 20/09/2019 22:26

Aww nice thread. Thanks for the reassurance Smile

MrsNotNice · 20/09/2019 22:28

Awwww tell me more I have similar fears :D

Needallthesleep · 20/09/2019 22:29

I’m so glad. I have a toddler and this is one of my worries.

Hopefullysmart · 20/09/2019 22:29

What a lovely post. I'm happy for you and optimistic for me! SmileThanks

Dashie · 20/09/2019 22:30

This is lovely! My youngest has just started school and I feel like a part of me is missing. Thank you for the reassurance that even though things change they will not be worse, just different.

partysong · 20/09/2019 22:37

Aw, thank you. My toddler is a little ball of lovely wonderfulness so thanks for telling me it will continue

Cmagic7 · 20/09/2019 22:38

Thank you.

purpleme12 · 20/09/2019 22:39

This is lovely

But I still miss those baby toddler before school days when she wanted me all the time and needed me to look after her. So bad

Rejelio · 20/09/2019 22:40

Thank you so much OP, that’s so lovely to read

Piccalino3 · 20/09/2019 22:40

This is a lovely thread. Thank you. I think about this all the time and worry that the best years are passing by. So lovely to hear that you enjoy them just as much but differently, I will try to hold on to that.

onalongsabbatical · 20/09/2019 22:43

Mine are now 35 and 45!
And bloody wonderful human beings. They survived all my bungling! Grin
Lovely thread OP.

OrangeJustice · 20/09/2019 22:45

Lovely post. And so true. Toddler cuddles are gorgeous of course but a 12yr old ds who is the same size as you being pleased to see you after school and gathering you in his arms when you’re feeling down is also very special.

purpleme12 · 20/09/2019 22:50

I'm not sure mine will ever cuddle me pleased to see me. I mean she's 5 but she's not that kind of person so far

statetrooperstacey · 20/09/2019 22:52

Absolutely the truth, mine are 28, 26, 18, 13 8 , they are all brilliant. Also being actual friends with your adult children is very special.

purpleme12 · 20/09/2019 22:54

I want to be my child's friend when they grow up. I don't want to be like my mum is with me

IamAporcupine · 20/09/2019 22:58

Aww this is so nice - I think about it all the time. Thank you

Haveakitkat · 20/09/2019 22:58

I also loved the toddler years, exhausting but lovely. Now that mine are teen and preteen I enjoy the times we have when they are trying to be more independent - my middle child (11) offered to make me a cup of tea when I got in from work today, a small gesture but it was so nice that he wanted to be kind.
We still have a hug but seeing them grow and change is a pleasure too.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 20/09/2019 22:59

I’m not close to my parents (long story) but so hope that I will stay close with my dc as they get older.

TwigTheWonderKid · 20/09/2019 22:59

My 14 yo DS (who is much taller than me) still sits on my lap ...

Ffs1608 · 20/09/2019 22:59

Yes! I miss the little people they were but the grown ups they are becoming make me burst with pride too (some of the time, there is still the odd strop aka toddler-like tantrum!!) Today was a gorgeous, sunny day. I took my DS19 for take away fish n chips and ate in a park . We used to do it when he was at nursery and have done now and again as we (I) fancied. He starts uni on Monday. Seemed right to do today.
Enjoy the small people you have now but know that there are lovely times ahead!

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