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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

BankWadger · 16/07/2015 18:37

The way my parents act sometimes, 30+ years and counting.

JugglingFromHereToThere · 16/07/2015 18:41

Ah, I remember the older Mums who ran toddler group telling me this when mine were little. At 13 and 16 now I guess I have to admit they have changed a bit - but yes, still lovely.
We kept the cuddles going for as long as possible and they kind of morphed into hugs
They have come along way since those baby days and yet it's quite strange and a bit alarming to think that the eldest might leave home for Uni in only a couple of years
Don't think I could really put an age on your question but I guess there was a new chapter around 5/6/7

IfNotNowThenWhen · 16/07/2015 18:50

um, dunno really acat! I guess just not encouraged too much telly/ books/games aimed at older kids, never said " you are too old for that" if he is being whimsical . They seem to grow up in jumps, but jump back at times too, finding their feet, and that's ok.

farewellfigure · 16/07/2015 18:55

DS is 7. He's taller than some 10yr olds and cannot wait to be taller than me. But he's still, and will always be my baby. He's an only child so I'm probably even more desperate to keep hold of him being a child. He's still really cuddly and affectionate and loving. Long may it last. In reality he has started to get grotty rough skin on his knees but he still has baby blond curls and big blue eyes ????

msgrinch · 16/07/2015 18:57

I've noticed a real change in ds this year, he's 7 soon and these past few months he's changed from little boy to a more independent boy. It's shocked me in the last few weeks actually, I can have real discussions and conversations with him and he's more able to articulate his view but also take on board mine. This has definitely been the most interesting year in terms of watching the changes in him. I'm also really starting to see his character and personality now and I thoroughly enjoy his company on all levels rather than just in a maternal way. I'm not good at the baby/toddler thing so I'm really loving this stage (obviously I've adored him always).

Whatisaweekend · 16/07/2015 19:03

Motherhood is weird, isn't it? I sometimes think that it is a constant state of both renewal and bereavement. I mean - I had babies once. Where are they now?? Gone forever and that makes me sad. However, I see these new people developing infront of me and that makes me full of wonder and excitement - what will they be? Where will they go? What will they do? Just so much potential!

As an aside, I am often told that if you can get girls into the whole pony/riding thing, you can get an extra year or two of childhood out of them before the whole eyeliner/boys thing really takes over. Not realistic for many but something to think about if you live a little more rurally.

Bonsoir · 16/07/2015 19:09

Little children, unaware of the cares of the world and whose minor worries and problems can be cured by parents in an instant, are a source of delight and elicit unparalleled emotional responses. It doesn't last - the real world with its traumas and dilemmas catches up with all of us.

littlesupersparks · 16/07/2015 19:15

As a secondary school teacher, year 7 and sometimes 8 still have that childlike way of looking at the world. Then you have teenagers - if you can get past them generally being quite self-centred - it is as natural and normal for them to be so just as it is for toddlers - they have an equally wonderful way of looking at the world. They understand more adult issues but approach them with an uncynical singlemindedness that is very refreshing. I'm sure I've learned equally as much from my students as they have learned from me!

My 5 year old is still wonderfully childlike, cuddly and cute. I have 3 younger too.

toomuchtooold · 16/07/2015 19:31

Mine are 3 but they are twins so it's been really too intense to sit back and enjoy. I'm just glad we're all still alive and doing OK

That said I would love to see them for one day again at their 7 or 8 month old selves to look back now I know what brilliant wee characters they're going to turn into and to check if it really was as horrendous as I remember.

I used to work in an after-school club and I have to say I think 8 and 9 year olds are brilliant. At that age they still are very open and childlike but they're quite sophisticated and can grasp a lot more of what's going on in the world around them. I'm looking forward to 8 year olds.

turdfairynomore · 16/07/2015 19:47

I'm 49. My dad says that when I'm 50 he'll stop introducing me as "his wee girl"!! (He says he will tell people I'm his sister as he doesn't want anyone to know he's old enough to have a daughter of 50!)

littlejohnnydory · 16/07/2015 19:50

Ds is nearly eight. The year he was 6/7, he grew up massively, his play changed and he was no longer a small boy. He is still very innocent and lovely though.

His sister is coming up six, she is still a small child who likes playing shop, etc. Maybe she will change this year :-(

MayPolist · 16/07/2015 19:56

As a parent I have found every stage is better than the last.

TheRachel · 16/07/2015 19:56

I think of my 4 and 8 year olds as my little ones. My 11 year old is my biggun!

WeirdCatLady · 16/07/2015 20:06

Dd is nearly 14 and is still my baby. In some ways she is very grown up, in others she is still an innocent. She will always be my baby, no matter what. Even when she is explaining how my new phone works.

I'm 42 and my dad still calls me Bab.

Yes, time goes by quickly, but each year brings new joys and wonders.

Original poster

acatisnotjustforeaster · 16/07/2015 20:18

Seems I have a few years yet

OP posts:

Goshthatsspicy · 16/07/2015 20:24

My massive 16 year old son just reminded me of when he was a baby.
He has been away for a few days, and rode his moped over 50 miles... But when l asked him who was there, he started counting on his fingers! Still my baby

TheFirstOfHerName · 16/07/2015 20:24

Year 7 seems to be when they suddenly grow up. It happens almost overnight (well, in the space of about six weeks).

First day of Y7: little kids.
Christmas of Y7: mature young people.

Maybe that's just my children though.

fourtothedozen · 16/07/2015 20:27

My oldest is 6'2" and has a beard- I'm loving every minute of it. He squeezes my hand and it feels like the same one then held my hand 17 years ago. I haven't lost anything- I have gained a great deal.

BertieBotts · 16/07/2015 20:30

DS has been teenagery since he was about three

BertieBotts · 16/07/2015 20:31

Although yyy to everything msgrinch said :)

tumbletumble · 16/07/2015 20:33

My eldest is 9, he's still a little boy, all cuddly and innocent

HarryLimeFoxtrot · 16/07/2015 20:37

DS was definitely still 'little' when he was 7. He's not so much now that he is 9. I'm not sure where the cot-off was though. I miss the cuddles (even if I still get hugs).

DD was 'little' for a bit longer. I think she grew up quite a bit when she went to middle school aged 9. She's about to go into year 7, and really does seem quite grown up.

oneowlgirl · 16/07/2015 20:40

I agree with those saying 7 or 8 years old as that's when the attitude seemed to happen (at least with my DS). There's something amazing about being able to sort all their & hugs & kisses with toddlers, but I totally agree with those who said they've loved every stage & each stage gets more amazing (although we're only up to age 9 so far, but thankfully the attitude seems to have disappeared - at least for now).

The whole thing is amazing when you sit back & think about it

msgrinch · 16/07/2015 20:47

bertie I'm loving 6-7. It's great. Ds is still cuddly but his little personality is truly there now, it's exciting in a way as I can now see the teenager/man (scary) they he'll grow into, more. Op you have plenty of time and each stage of you child's childhood brings it's own challenges but also so much excitement and fun. Enjoy now with them, they'll always be your baby but there's so much too come and you'll love the journey of watching them grow.

Madeyemoodysmum · 16/07/2015 20:53

I love primary school age kids. Still young enough for fun and games. Still need mum but able to do things for themselves and I have so much more free time now.

Mine were little till 7_8.

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