Anyone else feeling sad as their children move into the teen years?

[Trekkinntremblin]

Anyone else feel sad that their preteen kids are through their proper childhood years and the next stages are teen and adulthood and all the seriousness and anguish that comes with that?

They even look so different, carry themselves differently, and no longer have the wide eyed innocence… it goes so incredibly quickly.

Luckily I also have a 2 year old so I get to experience it all again.

How do others cope?

God no the older they got the better. Now 21 and 22 and wouldn’t go back for all the tea in China. We have wonderful times together as young adults as we did in their teens.

I have a DD14. I think it’s the change that’s a huge shock as it came on so quickly. Sometimes I don’t recognise her and I miss her. Other times I love the person she is becoming. I would love just one more day when she was 3 though….

Yes, I miss the fun of them being children. It has been replaced by a surly, rude teenager who looks at me and talks to me like I am a piece of 💩I keep on keeping on, hoping it will get better but it is painful.

Well Op, mine are 8 and 10 and the thought of going 'through it all again' fills me with dread. The baby and toddler years are just so relentless. My oldest has a friend who's little brother is just potty training. His Mum was on edge at pick up in case of an accident. I was like yeah, I'm glad that phase is well behind me. I look at people who's kids have a big age gap and think, how to they do it. I guess we're all different.

My Dd's are becoming more and more independent. I love that there is less of the slog of parenting and more time to enjoy things together.

I look back with nostalgia for the younger years but didn't and haven't dreaded change. Teen DD has been great fun and company.

I have dd15. I’ve honestly loved every stage so far. I look at photos when age was younger but don’t long to go back. I’m enjoying the age she is. She is fab and I love our bond and conversations. We have brilliant shared interests and lots of travel. I’m excited for her becoming an adult and the next stages of our relationship.

Mine are aged between 11 and 19. Youngest has disabilities so he is in some ways like a toddler but in other ways not. I miss stripey t-shirts and brightly coloured joggers, balamory on the tv and pushing them on the swings. Going out somewhere cheap with a little play area and having the best time.

But teenagers are fun too, just in a different way. Ds1 is at uni and we've used the opportunity to explore a new city that we probably wouldn't have. I love chatting to my teenagers about what they've been up to and the funny things their friends have done/said.

Yes, we all know that, but IMO it’s normal to mourn (just a bit) the days of baby/toddlerhood, the lovely little fat toddling legs, the wonder at seeing all sorts of everyday things, like a rainbow, or a bunny in the park - not to mention the excitement at Christmas, with FC coming…unless of course you’re one of those miseries who ‘won’t lie’ to your children.

My teens still want to hang out with us so my experience and emotions are probably different to those with teens off with friends. I’ll have 7 teens in my house on Saturday 😬 (3 are mine). I do look at the park full of happy little dc and miss it… then remember the reality of how dull it could also be 🤣