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.

Oh yes, early bedtimes. I miss having an evening!

I really enjoyed the pre school years . I had many friends with children of the same age and was always out and about. Cannot remember being restricted by naps ,snacks etc .
If a nap was necessary it was in the car and buggy. If out after 6pm I just put them to bed when home without bath etc . It worked for me.

I would say the only thing is having a day or sometimes two off in the week to do something with them and them being too little to resist.

I hate to tell you, but the primary school years are as chaotic and busy, with the addition of homework and more big emotions and eventually hormones. 😬

But I did like that I could just decide we were going for a walk in the park and stopping to get a coffee at the cafe. Now you’d think someone had been murdered at the suggestion of a nice day out and a coffee. Because it’s horrible and I don’t understand and no one wants to get out of bed. 😂

I don’t know that I miss it, but having no evenings and time with Dh was a big surprise about them getting older. We used to do bedtime and then still have time to cook a date night steak and watch a film with a bottle or two of wine. I cannot even tell you the last time we both sat and watched anything on tv together at the same time. I mean, literally it might have been 3 years ago? Youngest goes to bed about 9pm and eldest has to be collected from sports training at 9pm 3 nights a week so isn’t showered and in bed before 10pm. No way I’m staying up past 10pm just to watch a film. I’m usually in bed by 9:30 these days.

Nothing, honestly! But little ones are super sweet it has to be said!

my youngest is 3. Currently snuggled up beside me as I read this with the tears tripping me. Wish I could freeze time.

They are very very cute. Take lots of photos and videos. I wish I had more, especially videos with them talking or singing.

They are enthusiastic and easily pleased (also easily upset!)

We made some great friends via preschool

I got much fitter doing the preschool run on foot especially when one did full days and one only half days…

7pm bedtimes

Life is definitely easier as they get older but my jaded, materialistic tween and teen do sometimes make me miss the pre school days! (Never miss the baby and toddler years tho)