What do you miss about the busy preschool years?

[Covingcrisis]

I have two little girls - age 2 and 5, and we’ve recently decided we won’t be having anymore. I’m now hyper aware that in a couple of years my youngest will be starting school and I will never have preschool age children again!

I adore my girls but I do find myself wishing the time away sometimes when the house is loud, messy, somebody always seems to be crying or wanting me! The struggle to cook dinner and entertain/pacify the youngest, get them bathed and into bed. It feels like a never ending juggle of work/school and nursery drop offs/trying to keep the house to a reasonable standard/make time for friends and family/cook/have the occasional bit of downtime and time as a couple. DH is excellent but has a demanding job with long hours, I’m part time and due to take on a few more hours soon hopefully plus a training course which is more time to find!

I know I’ll never get this time back and I’m terrified I’ll look back and regret not making the most of it or enjoying it enough. So wise mumsnetters, I would love to know what you really miss about having children this age or this season of life generally? Sometimes I can’t wait to just not be needed all the time but I know it’ll break my heart too! Constantly feel like I’m doing everything to the bare minimum standard and just feel rushed off my feet.

Nothing, sorry.

Nothing, honestly.

They get so much better when theyre a bit older.

I'll really miss the 8-12 years

Nothing this end either! I found from school age on life got so much more enjoyable and has stayed that way (so far!) since. I found the early years incredibly hard 🤷‍♀️

I suspect it's the work/ family juggle that makes this so hard and probably hard to miss

How social it was, I’d meet friends nearly every day.

Zero. Nada. Nothing.

I don’t miss a huge amount from those years. It was a tired haze. They were (and still are) great kids but it was really hard. Things got much better when they could go into a park without me having to follow them round! Mine and 11 and 9 and are a pleasure. Still a pain in the arse at times but we watch Gladiatiors and Traitors together. Keep up with sports and generally can have a laugh. I can also hang the washing out without a toddler under my feet.

Life was much simpler.
Snuggling up reading stories.

Um, they went to bed earlier and didnt have BO and communicate mainly in TikTok reels. Other than that, not much. Sorry. 6-11 was the sweet spot for me.

Mine are a lot older now, but what was lovely about the preschool years was them being enthusiastic about day trips to farms, forest play, kids' museums etc. Also reading bedtime stories. Picnics in the park. Them loving that brilliant insta-snow stuff 😁 Getting the paddling pool out in the garden. Not having to worry about exams, applications etc.

Chatting. Reading together. Singing in the car. Lots.

i’m currently IN this phase of my life, my two are 1 and 4, and I love it. I love the silly little sing-song groups I take my youngest too while the eldest is at preschool, the trips to the park, the woods, the lake and the library, having two little buddies to run errands with and talk to endlessly, the fact I can be crazy busy rushing around one day the the next do fuck all but mooch about the garden, the swimming lessons where they have the actual time of their lives, the random mid week play dates, baking with them and the hellish mess that they always make, see also painting and bloody play doh, the endless reading of the same books that they love so much, just the wonder of it all when they’ve everything to learn and discover… I could go on and on 😂

It was bloody hard work but I loved it, except perhaps the first year, because of the sleepless nights.
4-12 was amazing though, probably my favourite time.
Now they're 22 and 20 and I hardly ever see them. Away at uni, living their lives as they should.
Make the most of it.

This! It was such fun!
And snuggling up with a book.
Their little hands in mine.
Their laughter, sense of wonder, joy at the smallest things.
Being their safe place and being able to make everything better with a kiss and a cuddle (and the odd biscuit!).
❤️

Cheaper clothes, shoes, food bills.

Being able to pick them up, cuddle them and tell them everything will be ok. My daughter has just had a miscarriage at 32 and not being able to make her feel better is awful.

I miss it a lot. Loved having small kids who see much of the world for the first time. I miss reading picture books with them, I miss being screen free, I miss playing best with simple toys like a great big cardboard box, I miss having control over what they eat and drink and the simplicity of life. We co-slept for many years and it never felt like I did not get enough sleep. I possibly also miss it so much because I actually missed a lot of it. Stayed at home for one year each, then DH took over as I was the higher earner. It made financial sense, but I feel sad I could not have more of that time with them. It was over so fast. Take lots of videos of normal everyday things they do and say. I love watching them - I have really fond memories.

School years are far far more hectic than preschool in my experience.

I actually really enjoyed preschool years. I love when their personality is starting to really come out and they are often hilarious with the things they do or say. I love their complete adoration of you and the cuddles and how a kiddle or kiss could make everything better for them, which often changes as they age. I love their cute little voices and the early bedtimes. Miss their tiny little hands and feet. I miss not having complex problems to try guide them through.

Picnics, going to the park / woods etc. Reading story books.

A time before pronouns.
Simpler times!

I do miss not having to worry if they are making friends or might get bullied.

Toddler groups
No worrying about exams
Entertaining them was easier and cheaper, they loved jumping in puddles, going for little walks etc
Pushing them on a swing
Being slept on
I could keep up with them
Their needs were very simple

Yes to being slept on. Also having them fall asleep in my arms every night. Bliss.

This definitely. Yesterday we went on a day trip and the younger ones loved it but the oldest kept asking when we were leaving.

Also pre school aged children have lovely non expensive clothes. If you want anything that looks nice for older ones you have to pay a fortune for something that was hand woven from organic fabric in Sweden.

I agree. I miss the simple life of nursery/pre-school when the kids were in bed by 7pm all year round