to ask you what you love most about your kid(s)

[QueenNefertitty]

Just seen an awful thread about a kid being sworn at in public (promise this isn't a TAAT)....

it made me feel rotten, and for some reason I started thinking about DS and all the things I love about him, listing all the ways he makes my heart swell. I wanted to share them, and thought other people might want to too...

theres always so much turmoil and worry about parenting/ kids/ child development on MN - it seemed like a nice Friday night jolly thread - hopefully not too mushy from me!

Anyway, DS is 18 mo, and the things that tug my heartstrings the most are-

The way he tries to put my face cream on my face and rub it in for me

The way he says 'Mama' when he's tired and wants to breastfeed

The way he offers me his food on a fork if I finish mine first, with a very intent look on his face

The way he stands on my feet and asks for 'a dance'

The way he sniffs tubs of playdough with a big inhale like its a delicate, savoury bouquet

The hand movement he does when he sees a fish in a picture book, or in real life (like a one handed clap)

The way he reaches out to hold my hand when we're setting off walking outside

The way he waves goodbye and shouts 'BYYYYYEEEE' AFTER someone's already left (never before)

Ds (5) his little arm comes round my neck in night when he's crept into my bed, he's always jolly, he always tries to make me share his sweets, he's a little whirlwind.
Dd(15) her randomness - she knows the most crazy random facts about all sorts, random acts, she's come home with a goldfish in a little tank tonight, she joins random clubs out of the blue. This week it's a non competitive swimming club she's found. You never know what's coming next with her but it's all good.

My little girl is nearly 3. Today she said to me, "I don't want to go to space today."

I asked her why.

She said, "I would be lonely without Mummy and Daddy and my brother."

Made my heart melt.

The little laugh and smile of recognition when she hears a familiar song. It fills my heart with joy.

I love her stinky little feet

My DD is 14. She struggles with anxiety but keeps trying and doesn't let it keep her from doing the things she wants to do. She is very open about her feelings. I think she is very brave.

She is also very appreciative of the simplest things. The "Thank you!" that I get when I make her favorite meal or take care of her laundry for her is amazing.

OH, and the fact that she is ALWAYS singing. In the shower, while she sits drawing, while she cuts the grass. Always.

DD, who is 3, told my mum on Wednesday that she wanted to buy me a bunch of flowers. So sweet. I brought her in a bunch of daffodils last night and she was delighted, pottering about putting them in a vase.

When DH and I have a hug, she joins in, saying ‘Mummy, Daddy, [DD], we’re a family’.

I almost wish I could hang on to this age forever.

My favourite part of the day is when DD3 wobbles into our bedroom at 5.30am and wants to tell me what her teddies have been up to in the night! She loves telling stories, wearing a Gruffalo costume, sitting for ages listening to us read her books and talking to everyone she meets. I still can’t believe she’s mine I’m so lucky.

What a cool thread OP

My DD is 18mo too and all about the KEK...when we get to the page in the Very Hungry Caterpillar with all the food, she gleefully points out the chocolate KEK and the cupKEK (and the PIE)

The way she comes right up to our faces and plants big smackers on us then giggles

She's so curious, her go to phrase is "what dis?" Again and again. We have started singing it back to her in the time of "What's This" for the Nightmare Before Christmas

The way she pretends to be coming up for a cuddle or to hand you something them when you reach out she scampered off in fits

Her little paw reaching up to pull you along and show you something

She loves babies and will happily stand gazing at them adoringly and giving them kisses (particularly keen on this one as she'll be getting a little bro or sis this summer!)

She's such a little dude

Ds (11) he has a very gentle soul. He loves babies and toddlers and animals and they almost always love him back. He cries at sad films and also at the likes of comic relief and then goes upstairs and empties his money bank to donate. It makes me so so so proud of him. I also love that he tries and carries on even though sometimes he has a match where his team get hammered or he has a lesson he hates or whatever. Also even though he is quiet and shy he has stood up for others several times and refused to take part in bullying behaviour. He’s a so called typical boy in a lot of ways and I just love that he is so kind hearted underneath it all.

Dd (7) is just a really spirited wee thing. She knows her own mind and although she seems quiet at first she is a real character and knows exactly what she wants in life. She’s very brave and courageous and sometimes she’ll do things and I’m really surprised she did it and afterwards she’ll say ‘well I was scared mummy but I knew after I’d done it I’d feel good and be able to do it again and not be worried’. I also love the way she sees the world - it’s just not how most people see it and I adore her for it even though it means she’s entirely unpredictable!

The way both DC will occasionally give me a look which is just like looking at my Dad. I miss him so much but fleetingly he is back with us. It takes my breath away, makes me smile and always will.

Thank you OP.

The way she takes everything in her stride, like no-one can stop her. They told me she'd never walk, she did at 22 months.

The way she runs into Nursery to her keyworker then looks back at me and blows me a kiss

The way she's so gentle with the cat, she strokes her and brushes her fur so nicely

When a little girl came running up to me at Nursery pick up and said "I l like MiniLady, she's my friend" because I didn't have many friends going through school and all I want is for DD to have friends

Brilliant thread - laughing & crying here! We have really struggled with DD over the past few years, particularly the last one, and found ourselves often talking about her in a very negative way. It’s so good to write down all the good things. She rocks! She’s clever, hilariously funny, brave, wildly enthusiastic about things, kind & caring. I love the relationship she has with her “boyfriend “ who is autistic. His Dad once said that she is amazing with him. I love the way she always defends people and (like me) has a very strong sense of right & wrong. I love her view of the world & her strong opinions.

DD is 6 months. The way she wriggles her whole body in excitement when I or her dad walk in to pick her up in the morning. Her huge smiles. Seeing her growing recognition of songs and books. Seeing her interact with other babies, dogs – anyone really - and belly laugh at things she finds funny.

DS is 6yo.

He is full of love and gives amazing hugs out of the blue. He tells me and DH he loves us completely out of the blue.

He is amazingly kind to animals and calls the dog his furry sister. I have a photo of him sitting on the floor next to a spider with 5 legs, it wasn't moving very well and DS had put his lego construction lorry and a bunch of barriers in a protective circle around it to protect it from the dog.

His is just yummy and i love being a part of his life.

The way my 8 year old cannot wait to tell me a funny story and she lights up when I laugh

The way my 5 year old strokes my hair and tells me that i am the best

And I love the welcome home hugs when I've been gone overnight. I also love observing them when they don't know I'm there.

such a lovely thread

I'm so very proud of my son for numerous reasons

1. He was such a 'good' baby in that locals named him 'smiler' as anyone who spoke to him got the biggest gummy grin
2. He's never brought any trouble to me, unlike me to my parents I was an absolute nightmare, nothing illegal but pushed boundries and was a 'wild child
3. Amazing sense of humour, has always been the 'popular kid' from primary
4. Makes a fantastic custody officer and his managers and governors have praised how fab he is at his job and how he'll go far.
5. How it continuously puts unflattering photos of me on snap chat such as 'mam in wrist hold'.
6. How he still cuddles me and tells me 'nite nite I love you'

Dd1 - her imagination is so amazing that her whole world is filled with her magical creations and she can play for hours making up stories. She puzzles things out in ways I didn't know a 3 year old could possibly be able to. She is also scarily clever and has the smartest mouth ever.

Dd2 is only 15 months but since birth has had the strongest, most intense personality. She is so headstrong and particular and independent. But also very affectionate when she wants to be. She is wickedly smart and can problem solve her way to climbing onto the top shelf of the book shelf to reach something she wants. She is so independent and wants to do everything completed by herself.

The way they look at each other and play so wonderfully together and sometimes just lay down cuddling when they are tired.

They are the best.

@peachgreen DS is also 6 weeks old!

• when I breast feed in the morning in bed laying on my side with his little body curled into mine

• seeing his first true smiles

• watching him go wild after a nappy change and he is nude on the changing table, kicking and stretching

• watching him listen intently to Peter Rabbit as we change him

• Letting him sleep on my chest after a feed

• When I pick him up and he arches his back and sticks his bottom out

Dd= her compassion, for everyone
Ds= his thoughtfulness

You guys are all so lovely about your children!

I can't remember who said the stinky feet but... I have a stinky-footed DS and I love them too! Except when he puts them in my mouth to wake me up on a morning...

Im so excited to see the person he's becoming - and all of you with bigger kids, are really crystallising that bitter-sweet feeling of not wanting the baby days to end, and ridiculous excitement to share 'more' of my life with him in a more equal way ...

This is making me very teary, and is a lovely distraction from my progress report writing, so... thank you all for sharing :)

My son is 6

I love the challenges that this age brings. He's his own person - he doesn't understand really why rules, discipline and advice will make him into an awesome person.

I am often the 'meanest mummy' and then the 'best mummy in the world'. I take it all calmly. My best reply to the bad mummy comment is 'I know, but it's my job to make you into the best person ever'

I love the nuggets of information and philosophy. Today's question was 'Do caterpillars have hearts?'

And the time when he managed to Skype message my department at work. We were crying with laughter.

He was talking about the illuminati yesterday. Quite frankly I'm too scared to ask!!! I suspect it's a gamer YouTube thing

How my 1 year old learns new things. He had a tough start and is moderately deaf. He's just learnt to clap when i say clap hands? He squashes my nose when i say meep mummies nose. He's just learning to wave. I love hearing him finding his voice he's saying muuuuum and daaaad all the time now. I have 2 older boys and its lovely going through it all again

DS is four months old and just the best wee man in all the world. He is so unbelievably content, full of smiles and chat when awake and so sweet and peaceful when he's asleep. He does a little self soothing thing where he uses his tongue as a dummy and it breaks my heart how sweet it is. His big beautiful eyes follow me everywhere just drinking me in and I feel like the luckiest person in all the world having him.

DS1 - his constant chatter! His lust for life! His enthusiasm! His energy! His creativity! His kindness! His imagination! His determination! Everything :) I'm so so so proud of him :)

DS2 - His quietness! His cute stubbornness! His thoughtfulness! His laid back approach! His gorgeous cuddles! His amazingly well-behaved-ness!! His sweet sweet smile as he waves goodbye! His affection! His kindness! Again, everything! I just love him to bits :)