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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel sad at how quickly my dc are growing up.

224 replies

cookieswirls · 10/01/2017 21:31

Just checked in on my dd who is 5 and couldn't believe how grown up she looks. I still see her as my baby even though I have 11 month old twins too but I think the past year she has just changed and grown up so much! When I was out earlier I saw a friend who said how much she has grown up and now I'm seeing it too. My twins are also growing rapidly and although I certainly do not want to go through the newborn stage again, looking back it did seem really lovely. I'm sad how quickly life flys by Sad

OP posts:
thisagain · 11/01/2017 08:04

It does OP but for a conversation like that you need to target your audience - which you can't do on a forum.

formerbabe · 11/01/2017 08:07

I find this attitude nuts! I can't wait till mine grow up and leave home Grin

haveyourselfamerry · 11/01/2017 08:12

It is a natural and bittersweet feeling.

I suppose I kind wish we could harness the feeling to help society more .

For instance, when (if) my children leave home I might get a dog, as that seems to be the norm in my town but there are thousands of children I could be fostering instead.

storynanny · 11/01/2017 08:20

I've got one of my adult sons and his family staying for a few days and I'm a bit sad their children are growing up quickly, no more tiny ones for nanny to cuddle.
Looking back I can see how hard it was to enjoy every moment fully as there always was something new to worry about! Not sure what anyone can do about it though, but I wish I had been a bit more laid back. Easy to say now though.

Spikeyball · 11/01/2017 08:33

Sometimes I feel wistful that I won't have any more children at the 'little stage' but I am happy to see the one I have growing up. He has severe learning difficulties so am pleased about even any tiny steps of independence that he makes.

Famalam13 · 11/01/2017 08:58

As Garrett said I get really wound up when people tell me it's a shame my DS is growing up. No it's not, it means he is alive and developing normally, I don't want to think about the alternative.

I do understand the shock at how quickly time goes though :)

idontlikealdi · 11/01/2017 09:00

So true. My dts are 5.5 and so grown up now. One has lost a tooth and it made me really sad!

I love the people they are becoming and the fact we can hang out and chat without all the crap of the baby days and toddler years but my god it's gone so quick.

TawnyPippit · 11/01/2017 09:11

My DS came and sat on my lap yesterday evening. He said "Ohh, Mum, can I sit on your lap and will you read me a story, just like the old days?"

He is 15 and 5'10". His feet were on the floor. It was just a joke for him and he was doing it to annoy me because I was trying to encourage him to go to bed. But it was odd for me remembering the years and years when he did snuggle onto my lap with a book, and they hardly seemed any time ago.

But the older years are great in their own way - I'm really enjoying them.

1stTimeMama · 11/01/2017 09:49

Although I get tingles whenever one of my children learn and progress, I still feel like our lives are speeding past us at such a speed!
My children are 7, nearly 4, 2.5 and 19 weeks. Because of the small age gaps, there hasn't been a single day in 7yrs 3m that I've not changed a nappy. Despite that, I love the small people stages!

EekAndShriek · 11/01/2017 09:49

I am so sorry for those of you who have lost a child but I am sure that last thing the OP would have wanted to do is cause upset. It's very clear from the thread title what this thread is about.

The OP is isn't complaining or being ungrateful she is just being wistful about the apparent speed with which they grow up.

I've seen a few threads where an OP has complained about their babies being hardwork where other posters have been angry that the OP hasn't considered that some people reading the thread might be unable to have children and that the OP shouldn't complain. I have to say with those threads that I felt that the OP had done nothing wrong although of course I felt very sorry for the posters who were unable to have children.

imip · 11/01/2017 10:02

I posted earlier on in this thread sharing the same sentiments as the op. I also lost my eldest dd, she would have been 11 last week and I should be awaiting secondary school offers. I also fine this very sad.

But I am still very sad that my dc are growing up. I love the grown-ups the are becoming 10-5 yo. They are a little mirror every day into what my eldest dd could have been. Yes, that's very sad, but it also allows me to celebrate the little people my surviving dc are.

In short, this thread did not upset me regarding my eldest dd, it is a sadness I always carry regardless.

Famalam13 · 11/01/2017 10:16

I hasten to add I have no problem with people saying that they are sad their DC are growing too fast. It's when people say it about mine!

Manumission · 11/01/2017 10:20

IKWYM OP. Time flies and keeps on flying.

cheekyfunkymonkey · 11/01/2017 10:24

This is exactly why I am trying to spend as much time as I can with them it's all going by so fast. Sad

BrieAndChilli · 11/01/2017 10:32

I looked at DS1 (age 10)the other day with his hoodie up and he looked like such a proper teenager, he's small for his age as well. It just his stance and everything looked so old. Did make me a bit nostalgic for the little toddler he was yesterday!
On the other hand I absolutely love DD growing up, we are very similar and I'm hoping we continue to be so close as she gets older. (She's 8 now)

NavyandWhite · 11/01/2017 10:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PostTruthEra · 11/01/2017 10:58

My little newborn is 5 months already. Although it's had its hard moments so far, I really love being a Mum to a little baby! I'm excited to see what he'll be like as he gets older, but also feel sad at how fast it's going!

cookieswirls · 11/01/2017 11:01

Eek I couldn't have said it better myself! I am sorry if this has upset some of you but to be fair if I see a thread title that may upset/ offend me I do not go on to read it. But I am very sorry if this has upset some of you

OP posts:
NavyandWhite · 11/01/2017 11:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NickyEds · 11/01/2017 11:05

I think everyone who hasn't lost a child knows that they are the lucky ones, or at least I would hope they do. So sorry for everyone who has lost a child- I honestly don't think I can put myself in your shoes and I wouldn't insult you by saying I could. I just think that the op is lamenting how quickly childhood passes, not meaning to offend. I think the thread title is really clear.

cookieswirls · 11/01/2017 11:06

Navy I think you are trying to be argumentative. You know what I am trying to say but twisting it so I look bad.

OP posts:
NavyandWhite · 11/01/2017 11:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Manumission · 11/01/2017 11:10

Oh navy why on earth did you click on the thread after reading the title? Please don't upset yourself Flowers

NavyandWhite · 11/01/2017 11:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cookieswirls · 11/01/2017 11:19

Well Navy I am deeply sorry for your loss. You do not need to keep quiet just as I nor anyone else does

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