To ask you about the good parts of having children?

[ValidUser]

Name changed because some people from work know my usual name and don't want to share my family planning details with them. DP (soon to be DH) and I are planning to TTC from September.

I'm very excited and just wanted to ask about the nice parts of parenting.

Please indulge me. Or throw buns.

Argh!! grammar

PomBear, that's made me so sad x

FFS PomBear the OP specifically asked for the good things

Yes it’s bloody hard work, DS is autistic and sometimes life is not easy for him or for us dealing with things but he is the most amazing, clever, witty, funny and loving person. He has taught me more than I ever thought possible. Also our DD, our little miracle a bundle of fun and mischief. Sometime I look at them cuddled up on the sofa and think “wow we made those”. The sleepy moments when little arms throw themselves round your neck and say “night night I love you”.

Their innocence and uncomplicated manner. The smiles, laughter and cuddles. How easy it is for them to melt your heart. How they make me appreciate the simple things in life. I know how important sleep is now thanks to my youngest reflux. You get to share in their happiness and the bar is very low, so you feel like celebrating most of the time. Ds1 loves learning new things and always come running to tell me everything, like its very urgent. I don't know where he gets the energy. But he also reminds me to be better and how bad hypocrisy is. They got a lot of questions and sometimes I must say lets find out the answer together as it is a very intresting topic.

The amount you love them, very different to the way you love others in your life.
The joy of watching them learn, grow and make progress.
The cuddles, the funny things they do and say. The pride you take in them when they achieve something or get praised by somebody.
And the overwhelming feeling you get every so often when you look at them and think "I made a human being!!"
It's hard, tiring and frustrating yes but it's brilliant

The cuddles.
The newborn baby smell.
That intense feeling you get when they cry, you pick them up and cuddle etc and they stop crying.
When they look at you and smile.
Cuddles.
When they get back from school and are so excited to show you a piece of work they're so proud of.
When your toddler hand you a scribble picture and says "I drood you mummy."
Cuddles.

@PomBearWithoutHerOFRS I wholly agree with everything you've said and though it isn't the topic of the thread a bit of balance is always appreciated.

They bring me things from the fridge when I can’t be bothered to get up.

And this afternoon my nearly 2 year old interrupted a table of 15 people to announce to them all that he loves me. That’s was pretty awesome.

pom that sort of shit only happens if you marry an idiot.

Mum to kids aged between 12 and 4 here. The good things about having kids? Well, erm there’s the time that...... erm........ oh... erm......well....... maybe when........ they.......oh this is a hard one....... erm....... oh yeh! They sleep better as they get older?! Is that a good one??!!

Watching the look of pure love when my little girl looks at her Daddy. Absolutely breaks me every time.

Seeing her around our pets and watching her interact with them, petting them, feeding them and the joy on her little face when she’s with them.

Helping her learn about the world, her serious little face while she figures it out followed by a huge grin when she gets it right.

@NotUmbongoUnchained

They bring me things from the fridge when I can’t be bothered to get up

That’s another good one too 👍🏻😆

They bring you together as a family and my relationship with my partner is a lot closer.

The unconditional love both ways.

All of it. Even when they scream or cry or continue to not be happy even when you've tried everything you can think of. Even when you exist on way less hours sleep than is idea. It's all still so worth it. It's so rewarding.

They eventually grow into adults and leave home
not

I know some parts will still be tough. That said, I'm lucky that I'm already a terrible sleeper, I'm a doctor who is frequently on call and I've never been the "wild night out" type.

I'm sure many parts of parenting (if I'm lucky enough not to have trouble conceiving etc.) will horrify me, but I'm also really, truly broody and excited.

The feeling of love you get when you see them just doing something ordinary. The big smile you get sometimes when they're pleased to see you. The special moments when you're especially connected. The conversations when we're walking to school. The questions they ask that had never occurred to you. The constant change - they're always developing new skills or learning something new. The chance to show them bits of the world/life you like. The chance to reread kids books, play with brio and lego and go to the kids bit of the science museum!

Also the huge feeling of pride when they master something new (even when it's something every other kids their age can already do).

The cuddles, the smiles when they see you, the first time they stand in their cot to great you, when they tell you they love you. All their little accomplishments.

The laughter and the cuddles.

For me it's really what life is for. The most magical part of my life so far. I'm nostalgic for it even though I'm still in it!!!

Mine are 8&6.

When they were first born, it was that intense rush of love. When I first heard ds cry, I was exhausted and drained plus a bit delirious but the sound of his cry. It was just the most beautiful sound.

I’ve enjoyed watching them grow and develop their personalities. I love their earnest views on things and their logic.

I won’t lie, the lack of sleep was a struggle but it’s all absolutely worth it. So much so my ovaries are calling for more, but that’s not happening 🤣

Oh and I totally disagree with @PomBearWithoutHerOFRS's comments. That's her experience, fair enough, but it couldn't be further from mine I'm happy to say.

No matter how important something is, or how much you want to do it, you can't unless someone else enables you by looking after your child

That’s something you need to sort out with your partner. It’s not a universal truth. And actually you shouldn’t enable your partner to treat you like that!

I've got twins. Having two little buddies to hang out with us just awesome. 95% of it is shit though.