To get emotional looking at my sons baby photos?

[Horriblehistories]

Does anyone with older children get emotional looking back at their baby things/photos?

Been having a huge sort out ahead of moving house. Leaving the house where my eldest has spent a big chunk of his childhood.

Been looking through his baby keepsake box and some photos, cards from when he was born and I'm all tearful.

I don't know where the time has gone but I suddenly want to rewind the clock. I haven't been a perfect parent but we've done ok, had lots of fun and hopefully made lots of memories, but iI feel like I haven't made the most of the time, haven't been patient enough, haven't treasured him enough and now he's almost a stroppy teen.

I want to go back and stroke his baby soft hair, kiss his chubby cheeks and let him sleep in my bed and not worry I'll spoil him, I want to go back and tell myself that it doesn't mater if he doesn't eat his veg, because one day he will.

Tell me to get a grip!

Sending you unmumsnetty hugs. I think we all feel like this as parents of older children every now and again. Just remind yourself they also used to cry for nothing, puke, shit and prevent you from being free to go out whenever you want

YANBU...mine are 10 and 11 and l feel just the same when l look at their baby/toddler photos, if l could l would turn the clock back in a heartbeat and do it all again!

Turn all that emotion into the patiece you will need for the next few years!

My 13yo DS and i were both in tears looking at his baby/toddler photos recently so no YADNBU

DS1 went to University today. The time has just flown since he was a little blonde haired blue eyed toddler.

But we have had those days now and it's time to look forward to new stuff.

Yep - I feel the same. My son is now 10. He had a brain tumour last last year which has changed him. Not for the worse I had to say. He was always a little bit angry, antisocial child and "odd" and now he is affectionate and gets on well with others. I look back and remember how cute he could be - it got forgotten when it was hard work - and I wish I had more patience and had enjoyed him more.

Yeas I get really emotional. My two are 18 and 16 now, the time seems to have gone so fast. I love watching them grow up, but I do miss them being small.

No grips needed! My three are 25, 17 & 10, and I have no idea where the time has gone. I can still smell that fresh baby smell, I miss that, but I also love the ages they are now - the funny 10 year old, the sorted 25 year old, and the just starting out 17 year old.

Totally normal. In fact I was just doing the same recently

My son is a tiny toddler, and I would love him to stay that way for ever. To keep getting those little hugs and him being so happy to see me. Ahhhh

Makes it sink in how fast time goes by. Makes me a bit emo too.

Totally, completely understand. DS nearly 16, not suggesting anyone should do this but we got a new puppy recently. Our dear lovely dog died a few months ago.

She is now waiting for her 'cuddle sleepy time' - and it's the nearest, sweetest thing to having baby ds again.

Aww this is hard. At least you know you have had happy times together. Try to focus on that. Maybe spend some time having a chat to him and looking through them together to find out what he remembers from his earlier years.

I've been watching videos of my DCs today, it's so cute seeing them all little and lispy! But I sound so snappy with DS1 - he was always a bit difficult, but now I hear myself being short with him when he was obviously desperate for attention and I feel awful. Wish I could go back and be more understanding. Xx

I should probably namechange for this but they were dark, dark days for me. I thought I had ruined my life.

I remember going for a walk in early October to Dunham Massey with DH and DS who was then about 7 and a half months and for the first time thinking it was quite nice. Couldn't tell anyone though, as they just thought it was PND!

Thsnk you, ds1 was a dream baby really, happy and content. The youngest was the pain in the bum, but I didn't sweat the small stuff so much with youngest.

It's great watching them grow and seeing their milestones and achievements.

I think I'd just like a chance to rewind and watch it all again.

I'm sorry to hear you're son was unwell eversoslightlytired

Hateisnotgood I'm at the 'shall we get a dog' stage, I won't because got too much on but I'd love to.

Ophelia so sorry to hear that, I can understand it's not always an easy time far from it, I hope things are better now?

Feedmeandtellmeimpretty luckily he still enjoys looking at his baby stuff. I've got a big keepsake box for both of them with stuff like newspapers from the day they were born, first outfit, first blanket, photos, first birthday cards all sorts of bits n bobs.

Thank you Horriblehistories. I love seeing the pictures of him -
Timehop keeps popping up every day - as does he. Makes me very nostalgic though.