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 your baby has her baby. Tbf she is 35 and has been married for ages. It's blooming lovely when they're grown up. The freedom!

When their socks are mixed up with mine!

@loulouljh

When their socks are mixed up with mine!

Yes! We all have different colours now, otherwise it's a nightmare to sort them.

When they can genuinely help move heavy furniture.

Today I spent five hours reading on the beach and only had to 'parent' twice with gentle warnings not to swim too far out and then be careful of the toddlers who appeared in the middle of a beach football game.
Heavenly

silence.

When lockdown happened we started doing Friday evening cocktails (DC were 17 and 19). Still going strong with that tradition!

DS took me to the pub last summer and bought me a glass of wine with his wages from his summer job. It felt like that glass of wine began to repay every thankless task - every World Book day costume, wet touchline, inaccurate vomit, lost PE kit - and it tasted very good!

Looking up to look her in the eye

When DS was about 8 he told me ' Im going to call you 'mum' from now on, not 'mummy''

When my child starts doing the job I used to do.

This week my 18yo is volunteering at their old primary school, where I also used to volunteer as an adult helper. Today they went on a school trip and spoke coherently about risk assessments and learning objectives.

Me and DH went to the beach on our first holiday without any children. Lay out the towels, had a paddle, ate the picnic and then sat there wondering what we should do next. I was so envious of the families there so went and bought myself a bucket and spade and built a sandcastle. Since then I have bought a kite and a fishing net and bucket and gone pond dipping on holiday.

When they do all the planning for a day out, pick me up and drive me to my ‘treat’

My youngest dc now drives. We no longer have to ferry him too and from clubs and activities. Most weird having our day free.

...when you have to buy extra gin because they drink it with you

...when they get married!

1. when she got married
2. when I had to add an extra three Chistmas Stockings for her dh and 2 kids.

When I ordered new trainers for him that were the same size as mine.
When his eyeline was above mine.
When he started staying in his room a lot.

I miss being needed. I remember posting on a similar thread on MN about 10 years ago complaining that my dc want to be around me all the time...

My 8 year old has started to walk through the school gate to her classroom on her own. Up until recently we walked round and dropped her off at the door. (She does turn round and wave about 3 times before she gets round the corner though so I know she still needs me a little!)

My youngest is starting school in September. I’ve just ordered her uniform and school bag.

Not needing the nappy / baby aisle any more. I sometimes walk down just to see what products they still have / what's changed

@PiddleOfPuppies

Realising that Christmas shopping no longer involved Toys R Us was a watershed moment. Also seeing a new Julia Donaldson book in Waterstones, and not buying it because nobody wanted a picture book at bedtime any more. More recently, being treated to lunch out by one of my children.

I got a lump in my throat reading the bit about no one wanting a bedtime book anymore 💔 I think it'll be those sorts of things I'll miss the most.

@TawnyPippit DS took me to the pub last summer and bought me a glass of wine with his wages from his summer job. It felt like that glass of wine began to repay every thankless task - every World Book day costume, wet touchline, inaccurate vomit, lost PE kit - and it tasted very good!

I love that x

@FoofOfTheWalkingDead

10 Yr old DS. Just noticed the beginnings of pubic hair when he was in the bath yesterday😭.

Oh the whole puberty thing is an absolute nightmare to get your head around

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

We are planning what we think will be our last 'Santa experience '.

My eldest is about to leave primary school and my youngest is only a year behind. I had planned our last Santa experience for last Christmas but it didn't happen due to Covid. I hope you get yours.

@Latte40 - I sometimes still pause in the nappy section then remember I haven't needed it for 7 years!

When dd got her first period