To think that many people dont enjoy looking after kids?

[malificent7]

Judging by reluctant childcarer threads. I love dd but i love having me time . The fact that grandparents would rather not look after dgc sugests that there are more fun things to do!
I only love parenting when she's happy and im rubbish at dealing with stroos, clingyness, noise and mess.

I like spending time with her but i look foward to when she can take herseĺf to the loo.

At the same time i will be sad when she grows up

Childcare?

Babies uggh - DS was exhausting, didn't sleep for four years
Toddlers - well at least they are funny
Infants - far less dependent and much easier. especially when at school!
Juniors - can make a drink, wipe their own bums, get cereal, easy peasy
Teenagers - fabulous, I adore teenagers, they either go out or stay in their rooms all day
Adult children - I like these best and find them the easiest of all stages

I think it's a little bit more nuanced than that. The actually tasks associated with taking care of children and often difficult, frustrating or, downright boring. but the love you feel for that child overpowers that and you enjoy it anyway, despite the tedium, in the same way that you enjoy watching tv with someone you love more than you enjoy watching it alone. Let's put it this way. I love spending time with my children but, while I like other children, I wouldn't really want to take care of them.

I will add that it depends on the kids I think. My eldest was fab to be around 24/7 I never wanted to be away from her, such an easygoing toddler. My twins are feral and exhausting and when my dp takes them too see his mum I fake a migraine so I can escape them for a couple hours

I really enjoyed looking after my dc, I have five and lots of fond memories. I've never liked other people's children though, find them really tiresome.
Now my youngest is 14 I'm really glad that I don't have the hard work that I used to have,it was a stage that I enjoyed but I'm glad it is over tbh.

I was ok when mine were young but I wouldn’t want to look after kids now. If there is a kid on the bus screaming I will it to shut up! Teddy I hear you about the grandchildren! My two both said they don’t want any which I am fine with!

My children are grown now and I won’t be offering to mind anyone else’s. When I get to be a grandparent, hopefully a good 5 to 10 years from now, I won’t be doing any childcare either.
I will be the Nan they visit on a Sunday afternoon with their parent. I will cook lunch and supply sweets and take them for a walk around the garden. The only babysitting I will offer will be so parents can go out for an anniversary meal.
I have done my childcare years. I love my children but I am bloody glad that they are grown now.

I think it depends on the child. My DD is very demanding and clingy. I can't go to the loo without her following me and she very rarely plays by herself. She's 4 now and still has to have me join in every game or activity she does. I envy the parents who I see at the playcentre sitting enjoying a coffee while the DC take themselves off to play. I'm the one going down the slide with DD!!
I feel really guilty saying things like "I can't wait until..." because I feel like I'm wishing the time away. She's a really good girl. Just very shy and unconfident without me.
I think if she was slightly more independent I'd enjoy it a lot more!
How does the phrase go? "I wish I loved being with them as much as I love them" ? Something like that

@Cantspell2 - exactly how I would be!

My Dds are in their 20s and 30s and have told me they are not having children

I know lots of younger mums who comment on my child free-ness with 'oh it's ok for you - you don't have to get up in the night etc - you have no idea what it's like'

erm --- done my time , been there got the t shirt.

I blame social media - in my day we just got on with it. The social isolation of bringing up young children meant we rarely had a voice or found out it was the same for everybody.

But to you al, who have young children - it doesn't last, the drudgery and the exhaustion. In a few years you will also be able to have a home that stays tidy and be able to sit and eat chocolate all day at Christmas whilst your younger relatives grapple with their kids... it's the circle of life

I love looking after my dc...it's all the other stuff I dislike, the constant cleaning, cooking, washing, ironing, picking up after them etc

I do agree it depends on the child. My dd is incredibly easy to look after on a day to day basis. She plays independently and has amazing concentration. She will happily sit with her doll house or Lego for ages. My ds when younger needed constant exercise...I think I spent every day of my life at the park! It was quite exhausting!

I'm expecting DC2 at the moment, I'm hoping for a day when they can play together and I can have a wee in peace. Who am I kidding, I'll just have 2 of them asking me what I'm doing from the other side of the locked toilet door