to feel both sad and relieved at the same time?

[GeorgiaMay]

My youngest just turned 6, and I have 2 older dcs - almost 9 and 11. Where have the years gone? On my little one's birthday last week I kept thinking "how can she be 6 already?" but at the same time I recognise how much easier things are - they get themselves ready in the mornings, have a shower by themselves in the evenings etc.

However I sort of envy friends with babies, although life is so much harder for them!

Anyone else feel like this? Or AIBU and need to get over it?

I have three and my youngest is nearly 5 and tbh I don't envy people with babies at all - I rejoice in things being easier. BUT I am a bit wibbly about the speed of time. My oldest is 14 next month - how much longer do I get the lovely family thing we have now? Doesn't seem like very long tbh BUT that's life and as pointed out to dh last night we will be parenting lifelong. Things change but not the love that's in your family. Try and embrace what you have now, don't look back.

YANBU of course. I look at my very tall grownup looking 4yo DD and simultaneously think "aww she's not a toddler any more :(" and "wow, she is so grown up, I am so proud of her :)"

Well, you probably do need to get over it, but I know what you mean. Mine are 13 and 5. In many ways, the 5 year old is more independent and capable than the 13 year old! I never felt emotional at milestones with DS but I do a lot with DD because I know she will be my last.

Northernlurker, you are very wise!

My SIL is expecting her first baby in the summer so I'm going to satisfy my baby lust with my new niece/nephew!!

Yes you all sum it up well....sigh....

I guess some of it is tied up in the fact that I would have liked another dc but DH has put his foot down, and mostly I have accepted that and wouldn't want a 6/7 year gap between dcs anyway. And SIL just had number 4, and he is just gorgeous and I am jealous....

Northerlurker you're right in that it's more the passage of time. My Grandma died recently (in her 90's, very good innings), and I suppose it brings it all to the front of one's mind.

Ahh - sil having number 4 that you and dh didn't is hard. But yes you will get past it.

I love the fact my youngest is now 7, she showers by herself, gets dressed by herself, even sorts some food out by herself, however this has lead me into a decline of being totally bored and I now drink way too much :( I need a hobby x

I'm in the same boat. My ds is coming up for 5yo and I'd love another baby, but dh looks at practical things and points out we'd need a car that seats 6 and trivial things like that

But I do periodically feel very broody. Would love to go back to the baby stage.

Mine are 26 and 17 and I miss babies but couldn`t face pregnancy again as I was so ill on my second and my eldest is disabled. I often get broody but will wait for grandchildren [if I am blessed!]

Am very jealous of you all (ashamedly).

My eldest is 6 and is a dream to parent. Ds is just 18 months and whilst fun it's effing knackering. Dh and I fantasise about ds being about 4, dd will be 8/9. We know we shouldn't, we know it's wrong ... but we do it anyway.

YANBU at all, I think most mothers get attacks of baby-itis as our dcs grow older and more independent.

My DD was 6 this week and she is so very independent. This makes me sad because it feels like she is already moving towards moving away from us. Silly but DS 7yo is still my boy .

YANBU.

Due to the way my family had their children, I am now a great aunt to a DGreatNephew (who is a year older than my DS) and a DGreatNeice. I am encouraging the young uns to get on with more babies! Selfish buggers won't though.