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Original poster

The nice bits of parenting that get you through the bad bits

25 replies

SamanthaVimes · 09/01/2023 11:59

What are your nice bits of parenting that get you through the bad bits?

DS is almost 6 months and full of cold. Nothing serious but grotty and miserable. He’s just gone to sleep on me and that feeling of his little head resting on my shoulder as he drifts off is so lovely.

Tell me the other little things you love about your kids

OP posts:
Kathybelle · 09/01/2023 12:00

Are you following the wonder weeks? I loved following my DD progress and her little milestones 😍

Flangeosaurus · 09/01/2023 12:01

They’re so funny! Both of mine properly crack me up several times a week and they’re so full of joy and enthusiasm for the littlest things. Park visits, helping me cook, pizza and movie night all rate very highly on 5yo DS list of Best Things Ever

tattygrl · 09/01/2023 12:02

I think this is a lovely idea for a thread. Acknowledging that it's hard, and then seeking out the bits that are magical and fulfilling. I feel like parenting discussions often skew either too positive or too negative, so this is refreshing and heartwarming to see.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

3-6 months old 6-9 months old Babies & sleep Families
Nevermindthesquirrels · 09/01/2023 12:06

DD 14 went through a very hard time recently. Mental health worries, self medicating etc. Probably the worst bit of any parenting we've experienced. She's coming out the other side after a useless CAMHS experience and lots of money spent on psychiatrists and therapy. She's got her humour back. She's so funny. I love spending time with her on the sofa and hearing her commentary. I love it when she hugs me even though I didn't ask her. Doesn't happen often, but when it does it's lovely. Can't believe that this proper human was so little once upon a time.

Penguinsmum · 09/01/2023 12:07

Yesterday my son aged 6 wrote in my work note book...mummy you are cyoot (cute!)

ElaOfSalisbury · 09/01/2023 12:10

Cuddles
When they fall asleep on you
Infectious little giggles
Now that she can write, my eldest likes to leave little notes / messages for me to find.

Eastereggsboxedupready · 09/01/2023 12:18

My dd has had bad mh during 2022. Resulting in 2 hospital stays.
She recently bought me an item I got the wrong one of for Christmas from her own birthday money. She got herself the same item so we can be matching! Massive turnaround from 2 months ago. Felt it quite a positive moment.

Dilbertian · 09/01/2023 12:23

When I was obese they would leap on me, bury their faces in my tummy and announce "Oh, Mummy, you're so beautiful! I love your wobbly tummy!"

When I was so down about my shape, they openly loved and adored it.

And now, when they're grumpy teens and angry young adults, barking at me, later in the day a strong arm creeps around my waist, a spotty chin towers over me and then rests heavily on my shoulder and a gravely voice grunts love in my ear.

LaFemmeDamnee · 09/01/2023 12:24

Lots of expense and work leading up to Christmas this year. Tucked my DD(8) up in bed and she said "Mummy I can't believe how lucky we are. I know the Switch was a big expensive present and I didn't think I'd really get one, then I got so many other lovely presents too". (We tell them Santa brings the presents but the parents pay). Her joy and appreciation made my heart melt. She's just generally brilliant company at the moment. We went to the cinema to see Matilda together and had dinner out beforehand, it was so nice to just hang out and have a laugh.

DS is almost 6 but very young for his age and still so squishy and snuggly. I put a pound in one of those crap shopping centre rides for him and he was SO happy to just go round slowly on a little plastic horse, hilarious.

SlagathaChristie · 09/01/2023 12:27

My 9mo son likes to put his hand on my cheek and look very seriously at me. Then he scrunches up his face into a big grin and kisses me (plants his open mouth on me and breathes wetly on my face). It's gorgeous.

inappropriateraspberry · 09/01/2023 13:03

Hearing their laughter.
Being told 'love you' for no reason.
That I can make it better with a hug and a magic kiss - I wish everything was so easily fixed!
The pictures my daughter draws for me.
The fact that I am pretty much the centre of their universe (for now) and they look up to me.
The sleepy drooly smell on my sons pyjamas!
@SlagathaChristie I miss those sloppy baby kisses!

HelloBunny · 09/01/2023 13:06

My DS is a little joker, even though he’s only two. He really makes me laugh! Also, when he clings on to me so tight that it feels he’ll never let go.

Tauranga · 09/01/2023 13:07

@Dilbertian what a lovely description of your big strong lovely ( boy?) , brought a tear to my eye.

Lindtcat · 09/01/2023 14:41

My daughter has severe asthma and can get quite sick a lot. But when she's not, she's great. I love that she's so confident, not like me. She was In her Christmas play and was one of the only children to speak. I was so proud of her, I would never of had the courage to do that. She must get that from her dad because I'm a little mouse Grin the other day we was out eating and our order was sent over wrong. Before I could say anything she's calling over the waiter. I had to apologise and take over but the girls got balls 🤣 did I say she's only 6?

Original poster
SamanthaVimes · 09/01/2023 14:45

Aww these are lovely 😊

From my older one I’ll occasionally get a “I love you mummy” or “I missed you today” if she’s been at nursery which helps me weather the tantrums the rest of the time!

OP posts:
Mummyof287 · 09/01/2023 14:46

2 examples (of many) would be little notes like this! (From 5yo) 😍 and 1yo's little chuckle she currently does 😍

The nice bits of parenting that get you through the bad bits
TheChosenTwo · 09/01/2023 14:47

2 of mine are older now and despite the odd day when they’re hormonal and not having the best time of things they’re just so fun to be around. The bonus is that when they have a day off college or (like at the moment for one of them,) home from uni, there’s often something delicious being baked for my arrival home after my office days. So kind and caring.
And ds is 11 and still likes a big hug before bed and tells me he loves me.
Parenting has its many ups and downs but there are always these little lovely moments that pull you through.

Kinsters · 09/01/2023 15:21

I had such a lovely day with my daughter today. We went to a big pet shop that has a fish pond and fed the fish and it was really fun. She has just turned 3 so the tantrums and meltdowns are ever present but that time together was just really nice.

SpringIsTooFarAway · 09/01/2023 15:26

Giggling and smiles.
The little pictures they make for me and songs they sing about me.
Cuddling up on the sofa together.
Really interesting conversations we have now and how interested in everything they are, their curiosity.
Their wonder at seeing new things and places.
How kind they can be to each other.
The funny games they make up.

cloudychance · 09/01/2023 15:27

My DD last night as she was having her bedtime milk put her arms around my neck and gave me the tightest cuddle I've ever had. It actually moved me to tears it was such a wonderful amazing moment

QueefQueen80s · 09/01/2023 15:32

They're 5 and 8 so no bad points now but when they were little.. it was the cuteness, the cuddles, their smell, their laughter, seeing familial characteristics in them, seeing them 'get something', kisses, "I love you mama"

Toddlerbaby · 09/01/2023 15:39

The cuddles, so many cuddles, the absolute feeling of pride when you look at them sometimes and think ‘I made that!’ Or when they do well at school, their absolute joy in the small things - my DD played pass the parcel at a party and got jelly and ice cream and declared it was ‘the best day ever’ and meant it! I wish I was still like that. My 1 year olds smile of pure joy when she’s being ticked or feeding cuddled up to me, the pure unconditional love I have for them and they have for me, unlike any other. however, to balance, they are 1 and 4 so also lots and lots of drudgery, frustration and generally them being little sh**s!

Simonjt · 09/01/2023 18:07

My son has been noticing more that there are lots of different types of families, he’s obviously been talking about it at school, or maybe a class topic. Anyway last week he got home and he was really upset, so thought he must have been told off or someone was nasty. It turned out that one of his friends has a mummy, he was upset because if he had a mummy he wouldn’t have his daddy and papa he made us promise it wouldn’t happen.

SausageShop · 09/01/2023 18:17

This is the loveliest thread - I'm bookmarking it to read when I'm having a rough parenting day!

My two (2 & 4) are so full of love for me, so free with kisses and cuddles and 'I love you's, and they're so funny!

They're also both so clever, and it blows my mind watching them learn new things every day.

IncognitoIsMyFavouriteWord · 09/01/2023 18:29

Now he's 21, amazing, wonderful and I'm so proud of the man that he is that the hard days are not even in my memory.

(well maybe him teething at 10 weeks through his first Christmas while we were staying at my in-laws), yeah, that's a memory. 😁

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