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)

Ah, what a lovely thread!

DD1 - At 10yrs old, I love her quirky, self-deprecating sense of humour, how she is great at making people laugh at situations and absurdities in life. I love the fact that she will try new things and give things a go - how she's just open to experiences, and how she thinks quite deeply. I love how she is just so much more competent at school, than I was at her age! I love how she is kind to her sister (most of the time) - and how she tells me she loves me, and thinks about the world and other people.

DD2 - I love how determined and resourceful she is, how creative, affectionate and loving, and how she sticks up for what she thinks is right, and the way she looks after her friends. I love how she is just the champion at finding things - if anyone loses something around the house, she is the one who can find it for you! I love how cute she is, her funny expressions and her warm, sparky, go-getting personality.

When DS, now adult, was10 and was the only one of a small group of neighbours' children who had real patience with the Downs year old.

Ds1- the way he is a mixture of the best bits of me and dh
Ds2 - the way he is really modest about it but he is actually really good at playing the piano
Ds3 - when he tells me I'm his favourite person to take him to his hospital appointments
Ds4 - the way he always asks me if I've remembered my handbag when we go out
Ds5 - the way he rushes in and flings his arms round me when he comes home from preschool.

Lovely thread.

DD1- how mature and independent she is. And that even at 13 she knows what she wants to do and the steps to get there.

DS- that he loves me the most and always tells me. And that he's a total geek, he likes what he likes and isn't swayed by bullies.

DD2- she is hilariously funny, and has a natural kindness towards people and animals.

Ds1 is 10 and our most challenging child but he has so many good points. He is so funny, he has a great sense of humour. He is protective of family and friends and very caring. He is competitive and gives everything 100%.

Dd is 8 and a very sweet girl. She is so kind and easygoing. She will give anything a go and is great fun to chat to. She is generous and selfless.

Ds2 is 4 and he is cheeky and so, so loving and cuddly. He's bright and friendly and definitely a rule follower and enforcer!

They are all vibrant in their own unique ways and watching them grow and develop is fascinating.

• Downs six year old

DS12 is so easy going, he’s a mate to everyone and just makes a room feel so full of joy.

DS10 is just the kindest boy. He’s so very gentle with his little siblings and so empathetic to others.

DD10 is my wild child, she is fierce and loyal and really stands up for what she believes in.

DS2 is the happiest toddler, spends his days laughing to himself and serving cups of tea to his teddy pals.

The love she has for me. Aged 9 she still wraps herself round me and cuddles up close.
She's quirky and different to her peers and reminds me of myself.

My DD is 3 and has an amazing imagination and laugh. She loves singing all the time and it's lovely.

She is also a wild, stubborn filthy beast with farts of Doom. But she has a real personality!

The way my tummy jiggles when he hiccups and every other movement he makes. 5 weeks til due date and I can't wait to meet the love of my life ❤

The melancholy nature of DD(5). She asks for sad music to be put on so she can do an expressive dance to it. Her beautiful, warbly little singing voice. The way she turns her face to me like a flower turning to the sun. The feeling of her tiny hand in mine.

The sunny nature of DD(6m). When she fixes you with her gaze, you feel such a strong connection, and then she smiles and her eyes almost disappear and you feel her pure joy and adoration at seeing you. Like you're the best thing in the world. The weight and warmth and softness and solidity of her.

DS is 7. He's the sweetest child I've ever met. He has so much enthusiasm for everything we ever do and is always so happy and cheerful and patient. He thinks that when he was getting ready to be born he chose me and dh to be his parents.

Dd is 18 months. She is so inquisitive. Her whole face just comes alive when she sees something new and interesting. She loves her daddy so much and runs to meet him every time he comes home (they both do). She's just amazing in ways I can't put into words.

Lovely thread.

DD 19 is kind and thoughtful. She’s quite insecure and lacks confidence but fights all that to do what she wants to do. I love how tenacious she can be.

DS 13 is funny, he makes me laugh every day. He is also kind and perceptive of people’s feelings. I love how laid back he is at times.

All you me DCs sound wonderful by the way

My little DD is so funny. She loves me so so much, and wants to be near me chatting to me all the time. She means the world to me

My little boy is 5. I love love love the paradoxes in him. He is fiercely independent and yet can need lots of reassurance and cuddles. He finds new experiences very scary and yet when comfortable can be very brave. He will cuddle and care for his dolly then go play ninjas and fighting. He can be still, concentrated and thoughtful, then very loud and fast and full of energy. And I love that he only shows all of those sides to people he is very close to...it’s like we know some secret parts of his heart. He is exceptionally kind and thoughtful. And he has the softest tummy in the world!!

Lovely thread!!!!!

DS1 (14) has grown into a lovely young man, even if he doesn't always show it at home. I even get texts from his friends Mums to tell me how proud I should be of him. He really is lovely

DS2 (9) is such a sweetheart. He's got my unique sense of humour and is such a lovely boy. He's been through a really hard few years - serious illness - and has a very unknown future ahead , but always manages to do it with a smile on his face. He really is very special

I just love mine to bits even when they drive me to distraction. None of them were around this weekend and I was very bored. I'm really proud of them all - they are all clever but that's nothing to do with it. They are all thoughtful and lovely (if expensive). They are 24,22,21 and 14 now.

DS1 (7), how patient and caring he is when he is looking after his brother and sister, but then transforms back into a competitive kid as soon as a parent enters the room (no keeping up appearances there). The way he tries to make up fun activities for everyone, including signs, tickets and evaluation forms (geek that he is).

DS2 (2) - the funny contradictory character that he is. Really caring and charming, but can be an absolute monster (biting, kicking, hitting), spends quite a lot of his time being a very charming monster with the cutest growl.

DD (2) - her brightness (in terms of cleverness, but also how sparky she is) and the way she is so physical (unlike her brothers) there is already real power in the way she runs. Her dancing, which is mostly her jumping up and down like a mad thing. Her way of seeking out private moments with a twinkle in her eye - she is so keen to make that connection.

All of them - the way they laugh at the others being funny - they share so much (loud!) joy

@TheFirstMrsDV

Your girl sounds so very lovely - thank you for sharing a snapshot of her life. I hope that seeing this thread didn't cause you any distress. xx

Both my boys (19 and 6 years) have an old mans' wisdom about them. I get lots of 'He has been here before' comments.

DS1 I love his dry sense of humour and the way he views people. He always seeks laughter with me.

DS2 is comedy funny. He could be on the stage. He is a master manipulator but actually so very sweet.

This is such a lovely, heartwarming thread, it’s so very moving to read such an outpouring of parental love! Sat here blinking tears back.
I love the way my 4 month old DD talks to herself in the Moses basket before she knows I’m awake, and the look on her face when I peep over and she sees me for the first time that day. When she is being cheeky and instead of feeding smiles up at me whilst half chewing my nipple, milk dribbling down each side of her mouth.
Her eyes. They just melt me, and I’m pretty sure she knows it.
The way she has so many different ‘hers’ throughout the day and I love each and every one, even the one that cries because nuzzling in to my neck is the only thing that calms her down and I get to then suck deep breaths from the back of her neck too, and feel that silky little mass of dark hair against my nose and mouth that has been there since she was born.
The face she does when trying to put her feet in her mouth; her mouth puckers and her eyes grow massive with concentration.
And finally how she is with DH; as soon as he walks in she is kicking her legs and screeching at him.
Thank you for starting this thread @QueenNefertitty, what a great idea to make us stop and appreciate the little things x

Dd1- I love that she's so genuinely kind hearted. She always looks for the good and has an incredibly strong moral fibre. She's feisty without being rude, funny, and my god she's so passionate. She's got an iron will and will always give her very best effort to everything she does, and she knows the value in making an effort even if she can't immediately see the results.

Dd2 - She's so incredibly funny and smart sometimes I wonder how she came from me and dh. She's sharp as a needle and incredibly perceptive and she has so much common sense. She's only 7 but honestly her conversation is better than I have with most adults. I love that she adores her big sister and they have a really loving relationship, and they say they are 'besties'. Her imagination is fantastic too. I love that she like to sniff random things (the noise she makes and the little crinkle of her nose makes me smile).

I love that they both are open with their feelings and share with us anything that's on their mind, good or bad.

This is a great thread

DD1 is 6. She is a lovely soul. So kind to her friends and sister. She likes going off and reading on her own. She's creative, often gets in from school and starts making stuff straight away. She has her own interests that she began without knowing a soul, just because she wanted to. She's smart and inquisitive.

DD2 is 4. She looks up to her big sister so much, and is so kind and thoughtful towards her baby brother, instantly tries to comfort him. She's hilarious. She is confident and bowls up to people, she bounces about like a puppy. But she is also still so...little. Needs frequent cuddles. Says 'well done, mum!' if I win a round of a game or whatever. Loves cake.

DS is 5 months. He's adorable. Beams at you with his whole being when he first sees you in the morning. Never stops moving his little legs. Reaches out to explore everything he sees. His cute little coos. Oh, he's the only one who has slept as a baby!

Oh, DS's guffaws if you blow raspberries on his tummy or kiss his chubby cheeks. So lovely.