What things made you realise you don't have 'little' kids anymore?

[Echobelly]

Mine are 9 (nearly 10) and 13 now, and it does kind of creep up on you gradually.

It was things like seeing a Cbeebies magazine and realising I didn't know anything about most of the programmes referred to (thank God)

Filling in reviews of holiday stuff and realising we didn't fit under 'families with young children' anymore once my youngest was past about 8.

Cleaner mixing up mine and eldest's shoes

Getting ads on social media for events and things and thinking 'Mine are way too old for that', in fact generally seeing lots of stuff your kids are too old for.

When u walk into a pub and get served by someone who was in DDs class at primary

For me it was when my eldest was 8 and we were going to disneyland, and she didn't want to wear a princess dress 😭 I'm really aware now of how quickly they really stop being children now and I'm truly enjoying the toddler years rather than constantly waiting for the next milestone like I did with my eldest. I feel like I wished it away, so excited for the next age and step.

I agree - I have no clue what is on cbeebies. In fact I don't even know which channel it is.

I haven't been to a soft play centre in years

I no longer walk around with rice cakes or little boxes of raisins in my bag. or wipes.

When I got on the bus and realised my youngest needed his own ticket
Getting rid of the sterilizer, cot, buggy, bottles and lidded cups

I have a dc who has learning difficulties and 2 who have autism so I think some things are here to stay, like CBeebies and soft play.

When I'm sitting here on Mumsnet at 7.15pm with a coffee and a cake in peace and quiet, adult TV on in the background and not trying to bath one while appease the other!

When I pathetically start heaving while cleaning the dried flakes of meat from the cat bowl, and move to another room to recover, and I hear the tap go on, some swilling and DD9 shout 'dont worry mummy, I've done it for you'.

When I could leave the house on my own and just leave them all in the house as they were old enough to be left.

When they get into the car themselves and put on their own seatbelts without needing to be helped or reminded.

When you look at the age recommended limits at a playground and they are at the limit.

When they are too old for most of the summer camps.

I'm following this
my eldest is 8 and makes his own school lunches.
Frequently going through his old clothes for his siblings.

When they both ordered full adults meals instead of happy meals at McDonald's. It took me aback at how much I noticed it and how, all of a sudden, the price of the meal doubled 😂

@notacooldad “When they ask if you fancy going out for a pint with them” I’m a long way off that yet, and not a drinker, but if that’s how DS and I are in the future I would be so proud.

Getting hand me down jeans, for me.

When they drink all your vodka!

When you realise that they don't hold your hand any more

When you have to leave them for weeks of lockdown at 13 while you go out to work full time.

Going on a family holiday and people thinking we are a group of friends lol 😂

Slightly off point but something that made me feel old as hell. My son’s driving licence arrived and we were looking at the back. It says he’s licensed to ride a moped till 14/07/73. 2073. It’s like a date from Star Trek captains log

I put my arm around my 'baby' when came home from school today, and suddenly realised that my shoulder fitted nearly under his arm. I'm 5'8". He's 14 years old. He may be my youngest, but he's not the baby!

@Astorica

Slightly off point but something that made me feel old as hell. My son’s driving licence arrived and we were looking at the back. It says he’s licensed to ride a moped till 14/07/73. 2073. It’s like a date from Star Trek captains log

2073. Fuck me.

When Ds started ‘looking after me’ rather than the other way round - eg: he made the tea, he bought me chocolate, looked after me if I was poorly etc, made his own life choices. So many times I’ve opened my mouth to correct him, then realised he can made his own decisions (and shut my mouth again quickly!)
But… I still reach for his hand to cross the road, still tell him off for swearing and still tell him to ‘take a coat, it’s gone cold’ The one that makes him laugh is me ringing up to tell him to drive carefully… he has driven for a living for over 10 years…
Ds is 35 and 6ft tall 😃

Another big moment….
The first time they drive you!!!
I nearly wet myself in a mixture of fear - and pride 😃

When they stopped calling me a meany and now called me a bitch

Had been swimming in the sea with DS and was struggling to get out again over a very pebbly part. DS picked me up and carried me.

I'm loving not being needed so much now!

Dc 1 can walk to & from school alone. Both dc have a phone (controlled by us via google family link). Dc 2 spends much more time in their bedroom or out with friends. Dc 1 is growing a bit of a 'tache.

When he pats me on the head I'm 5'9"