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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how long children remain little for

86 replies

acatisnotjustforeaster · 16/07/2015 17:54

I am forever being told, cherish the time spend with our darling children as they aren't little for long. How long do you think we've got them for ss lovely little innocents?

OP posts:
molyholy · 16/07/2015 17:58

Ooh I dont know. My dd is 7 in a few months and it has gone past in the blink of an eye!

Original poster
acatisnotjustforeaster · 16/07/2015 18:08

I know. I'm just coming to the end of the baby stage and missing it already

OP posts:
Thumbcat · 16/07/2015 18:08

I think once they start school they start to change from being little. Definitely by year 1 that little child loveliness has gone.

CitronVert · 16/07/2015 18:10

My youngest DS leaves primary school tomorrow. He was always my baby but he's so big now. It really does go in the blink of an eye.

I'm a bit sad tonight Sad

Original poster
acatisnotjustforeaster · 16/07/2015 18:10

5 thumbcat? ????

OP posts:
Original poster
acatisnotjustforeaster · 16/07/2015 18:11

Citronvert I can imagine. I am determined to enjoy all the wide eyed wonderment as much as I can.

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 16/07/2015 18:12

I think it's about seven actually. DS can be a bit of a pain sometimes and act older, but he is still little. He will be seven in October.

sweetkitty · 16/07/2015 18:12

My eldest is 11 in a few days (ive been on MN since before she was born) mym youngest is 5.

It really is a blink of an eye HmmHmmHmmHmm

ollieplimsoles · 16/07/2015 18:13

This is a bit picky sorry-

But it really annoys me when someone has a baby, posts about the new arrival on facebook, then one person has to say something like 'seriously enjoy every minute it goes so fast'.. I read them and just think; no shit sherlock, thanks for pointing that out, better make sure I'm enjoying my baby enough as it will all be gone soon. Just creams my corn.. Hmm

mrsruffallo · 16/07/2015 18:15

I'd say secondary school is the big change

OddBoots · 16/07/2015 18:15

It goes past so quickly but older children are just as wonderful, my eldest is about to turn 16 and my youngest is 12 and they are fantastic to spend time with, they are funny, affectionate, helpful and kind (most of the time, anyway). I loved their baby stage but this bit is just as good.

StayGoldPonyBoy · 16/07/2015 18:15

I vote 7. They lose their cute babyish feet and get big front teeth at 7. I think they want to act older by then too.

CheesyNachos · 16/07/2015 18:20

I don't know. My DS is 5. I had dreadful pnd for 4 years and cannot really recall those years... it was a blur. I am hoping that each age and each stage is a joy no matter what it brings because I feel I missed out on the early years. I love the stage he is at now though.... funny, interesting, trying to work the world out. I hope every age is like that.

Zebda · 16/07/2015 18:22

I agree with 7 - this is when DD started eye-rolling at me and getting sulky (i.e the end of cuteness and general good humour).

Theycallmemellowjello · 16/07/2015 18:22

I find it a bit unsettling to hear people talking about children in this way. You're not losing them - you're gaining as they grow up.

IfNotNowThenWhen · 16/07/2015 18:22

Nooo. Mine is 9 and still quite"little" a lot of the time. I have made an effort to not let him get too teenagery tho.
( it does help that he looks 7!)
My friend with girls, hers were putting on make up and having mum and daughter pampering session at 6, and seems much more grown up. I love this age,and have liked each new age more and more, and hate when you have a baby and everyone goes "ooh enjoy it its downhill from now on" Niners can still be big eyed with wonder at times.

thehumanjam · 16/07/2015 18:24

I stopped referring to my eldest as "my little boy" when he turned 8.

nipplequestion · 16/07/2015 18:25

I agree with 7. DS has begun to understand his place in the world more this year and is beginning to lose that complete innocence younger children have.

Original poster
acatisnotjustforeaster · 16/07/2015 18:25

Ifnotnowthenwhen just out of interest, how did you not let your 9 year old get too teenagery?

OP posts:
revealall · 16/07/2015 18:25

I thought the todler to young child (about 5ish) went on forever. There was a long stage from 7 till about now ( 11) when they seem to enjoy being children but gradually become more capable.
Secondary school and you are pretty much out of childhood really.

SoupDragon · 16/07/2015 18:26

I find it unsettling when people can't grasp that it is possible to love who your children are growing into and yet still wish you had the chubby cheeked preschooler back for a while so you could feel their pudgy little hand in yours or the weight of them balanced over one shoulder as you carry them to bed already asleep.

I love the 6ft tall beanpole my DS1 (16) has grown into but I still think wistfully of his preschool self.

mrsruffallo · 16/07/2015 18:27

CheesyNachos- the best is yet to come and that nasty PND will be a distant memory for you. Mothering older kids is as good as it gets!

Original poster
acatisnotjustforeaster · 16/07/2015 18:29

In my op I didn't mean we would love our older children any less, I'm just curious as to when they lose that innocent nature. It's not meant to disregard the loveliness of older children

OP posts:
G1veMeStrength · 16/07/2015 18:30

My junior school children aren't little but they are still soooo much fun and also capable. I like it. They still gasp in amazement at things but can do up their own seatbelts. They don't have a newborn smell but their hugs are given out of choice and love. Perfect age.

(I have said 'perfect age' at every stage. Its honestly always lovely in different ways and with different challenging bits of course.)

BackforGood · 16/07/2015 18:36

I stopped referring to my eldest as "my little boy" when he turned 8

Yet, my Mum would still sometimes refer to her 'little boy' , when db was 6'3" and over 40 Wink Grin

I now know how she feels, and introduced my 6' 19yr old to a friend as 'my little boy' the other day Grin