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)

Everything....literally everything about him. DS is 14 months old and he's sooooo sweet and scrummy. He always wakes up happy and he loves giving hugs and cuddles. He's an absolute joy and he makes my heart full every single day. I know that's sappy and not very mumsnetty but it's true.

I'm literally melting at this thread! Mine are 14 and 11 now and some of these posts are just taking me right back.

I love the way my DD takes an age to leave the front door for school in the morning now because she's turning round to say "Bye, love you" about six times as she goes, and how she always texts me about 20 emojis to say she's got there!

I love my DS's humour - he's now a more distant teenager but his comical observations can floor me most times.

Peachgreen I had that too with DS - it goes, don't worry, with you're positivity on here I think you'll be fine

I love the way ds aged 3 says mummy mummy to get my attention. I love his cheeky grin and that he pretends not to like kisses and wipes them off! I love how much he adores his brother and his two best friends.
Ds1 aged 6 is hilarious, loving and frustrating all in equal measure. I love how loyal he is especially to his brother and to his friends. Noone is allowed to upset his brother (except him!!!) I love how he makes up stories and that he's decided that when he's older he's going to live on his own and watch whatever he wants on TV!

I love that both my boys are funny and unique and although cheeky and exhausting at times I wouldn't have it any other way.

Occasionally one of them sleeps in past 6.30! (Kidding, they never do that).

I love how they love each other. 4 and 18m, but if one is ill or sad, they go and offer cuddles and toys. I remember when my youngest was about 1, his sister fell asleep on the sofa, ds fetched every soft toy he could find and surrounded her in them.

My 6 year old is so caring towards her little sister, it just melts my heart. The toddler is so full of awe and delight it's gorgeous, the way they play together is truly beautiful.

DS is 3 and generally a handful but can be incredibly kind. He will always offer to share, even his favourite chocolate. DD is 6 and also very caring. I am disabled and while I don’t need them to help even at 3 DS notices when I find things hard, so will pick up things I have dropped or say “You need help mummy?”

Brilliant thread.

I love how older DD gives me a detailed rundown of the school day, without verbal punctuation. It’s just one long, excited sentence and I sometimes worry about her not taking any breaths. And how she tells me that she missed me during the day. It almost makes me weep as I don’t know what I have done to deserve that level of love.

My other DD is just so outgoing and will talk to anyone. It needs a bit of careful management sometimes! Once on the bus she got chatting to the elderly man opposite. Turned out it was the only real conversation he had made for over a week. As he stood up to leave, she shook his hand and said “it was lovely to meet you”. His face was a beautiful picture, he was so happy. It’s a lovely quality that she has.

The list goes on for them both.

Thanks, OP, for reminding me of how amazing my kids are.

DS - 15. His kindness to his younger sister, his enthusiasm and excitement for the things he's interested in - he can't physically keep still when he is telling me about them, the way he laughs till he cries when I do impressions of his (difficult) grandparents or shout at rubbish other drivers, the way he still puts his arm round me or holds my hand when we are out going somewhere, his stop/start animated movies he creates complete with soundtracks that he spends hours searching for on the internet and they're so funny.

DD - 11. Such a sharp sense of humour, makes me properly laugh every day. Such a strong sense of right and wrong, would never stand by and witness injustice without speaking up. Her creativity - she gets such amazing ideas and is totally focussed on them till they're realised; whether that be writing a story about our dog or drawing, colouring in and cutting out fiddly paper spectacles for all her toys to wear - she sellotapes them on and they look so real , how excited she gets to see our dog every day after school; he's the first thing she asks about when I pick her up.

My kids are the nicest people I have ever met, seriously

When he insists that's he's a 'big boy and 'massive.Hes 4 .
When he jumps on me for a cuddle
When I hear him playing with his toys and narrating it
Just everything really

I love the way DS6 has started to read by himself at bedtime. I love that he's loving reading and learning. I love that he still needs me for cuddles and is affectionate. He's funny too.

I love how DD4 is nurturing and caring and already possesses so much empathy. I love how determined she is to do things. She's very physical and bright. I love how she still needs me to stay with her while she's falling asleep. I love how elegant she is in her movements. .

Oh I forgot my DD (almost 3) loves encouraging me. If I make her something to eat I get told "great job mummy, well done."

That always makes me smile

My ds is 6months in a few days. I love his smile, he has a reputation as a charmer and smiles at everyone. His laugh is amazing especially when we play peekaboo.
I also love how he sleeps on me in the day, he falls asleep breastfeeding then I pick him up and he sleeps up right on me. When he was first born he looked so tiny on me, now he curls his legs up but is so big (90th percentile!).
Oh, and how much he enjoys kicking and splashing in the bath!

I love this thread, it's been so nice reading everyone else's posts! Had a rough night with ds and it's reminded me to focus on how wonderful ds is and to enjoy him, not worry about sleep and how tired I am.

Both of their smiles. My youngest has just started walking and does it with his arms up and the most gorgeous smile on his face, it's so precious.

My eldest is bright, caring and hilarious. I'm so proud of the person he is. I had PND with him and always carry the anxiety that he is messed up as a result but his resilience astounds me every day. He is perfect.

This is a great thread!

DS1 - He has just turned 6 and is one of the strongest, most loving people I know. He has HFA and after battling to speak and connect with me until he was 3, he now never stops talking I must hear MUMMY a hundred times a day and I love it. He is a great reader already and his maths skills are insane. He is trying so hard to figure out the world ('Who put the stars up in the sky?' 'Why is summer hot and winter cold?'..oh and 'Is that a baby in your tummy or too much food?' to name a few). He is the kindest big brother and hates to see his baby brother cry and will kiss him to make him stop.

DS2 is 20 months.He was the sweetest, easiest sleeping baby ever and became a tornado of a toddler.He has the sort of easy confidence and smiles that his brother didnt have for a long time, as if he innately knows he is adorable and loved. He will run at me for hugs and will make friends with ANYONE. He has terrible tantrums and has a killer bite.It is so hard not too laugh when he is having a dramatic moment. He has a knack for winning Hide and Seek, although the Wardrobe Time was scariest 30 seconds of my life.

They can he hard work together, especially as I'm a lone parent but I am so proud of them both and know they will become great men.

@appleandpears
Sorry, don't wanna go off a lovely topic, can i just ask you what you mean about people talking about their children? genuinely curious.

to the mums on this thread who have got through PND/ PNA

every time I come back to this thread I find I get something in my eye....

My ds gratefully told me today he wouldn't have been able to get through all his homework this weekend without my help...bless him!

DD. I loved her grace and her dignity. Her quiet but sharp wit. Her beauty. Her amazing cleverness. Her kindness. Her incredible bravery. The way she listened to me and trusted me. She was the most beautiful, chunky baby and toddler. She grew into a lithe, lanky just-teen with arms and legs and a neck a prima ballerina would have killed for. Her hair was astounding and her eyes so blue they looked photoshopped in photos.
I miss her so much I can hardly breath today.

@TheFirstMrsDV I'm so sorry x

His kindness, he will share anything with anyone no matter how much he wants it.

After he’s ‘helped me’ do my make up he will tell me I’m pretty

He tells me he loves me more than dippy eggs

He’s only 2 and melts my heart every day

I don’t think I could pinpoint anything in particular l love more than others. I just absolutely adore all of them, absolutely every little scrap. I love the way my older son knows every single dinosaur off by heart and tired to teach his 18month old brother, patiently (to no avail yet!) I love the way my youngest lies down and pretends to snore when I ask if he’s tired. But honestly, I love the way they look, think, smile, smell, laugh, talk. They are just scrumptious.

That they just exist - smiles, tantrums, cuddles, laughs and tears.

They just are the be all, end all and my reason for getting up in the morning, working like a dog to ensure they grow and develop , feel loved, now how to love and care and just be....

DD is 22, and the most remarkable woman I know. She gave birth to DGS in August, went back to university 3 weeks later, then got a Saturday job as a TA for children's drama. She is funny, kind, gregarious and utterly relentless at any task she undertakes.