Does anyone have anything positive to say about being a parent?

[Wiltshirelass2019]

Just about to have my first baby and all I seem to read is that being a parent is drudgery. Everyone with kids tells me my life is over and I’ll never sleep again. It’s really getting me down. Aibu or do people with kids never seem to have anything nice to say about parenting when you’re pregnant? I’m shitting myself 😭

I love it. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me. My kids love me and I love them. Christmas is miles better and you get hugs whenever you want them ( even off my teen son). Also they are really funny sometimes . You’ll feel a lot more tired and skint but it’s all worth it.

I have four and personally love it. Not saying it’s ever been a walk in the park but I absolutely adore them like no one else.

My DS is 7 months and I think it's Amazing! Every time I look at him I can't stop smiling. Yes it's hard but it's also incredible.

Mistlewoeandwhine thank you, it’s so refreshing to hear something positive 😊

It’s tough - very tough. I have two and while I would give my life for them, there are days I want to run and hide. I go to work for the break. But. There are wonderful moments. They give the best hugs. I remember sending my daughter to kindergarten in her school uniform, she looked so grown up, bow in her hair, small book bag. I was so sad, she hugged me and said not to worry, she was a big girl now. She’s in year one next week. My son is turning 3 and he’s just got into knock know jokes, unfortunately all he says is knock knock - who’s there, it’s me! They make you laugh, smile, cry - I am exhausted after every weekend. But, it’s all good. You’ll be fine. And remember - all children are different, my first didn’t sleep though until she was 2.4 years. My son slept through 7-7 from day 2. Good luck.

I love it. He bought his first home a year ago and moved out!!!

I bloody love it. The newborn stage was a bit tiring but manageable and utterly worth it for the sheer bliss of sitting feeding a happy baby who is trying to smile at you and fees at the same time. DS is a toddler now and honestly, he's hilarious and just good company.

Don't panic. While there's a big range of what's normal, plenty of babies will do a decent stretch of 5 or 6 hours at night by about 3 months, and lots will do 8 or 9 by 6 months (including bf babies) and I really enjoyed mat leave.

Life has changed but DH and I are just so happy with our 2.

All the best to you OP, I'm sure you will have a fabulous experience with your little one x

Ps I am might be slightly biased as cuddling newborn DD and she is just glorious yes I'm sniffing her little head

My kids are 10 & 11 now and its a fascinating new stage. The baby, toddler, early school year all come with their own challenges but the kids are so entertaining & full of wonder when small that it more than makes up for it. I'm really enjoying this new stage they have reached; there is a lot more independence for them, they walk home from school themselves, I can pop to the shop without bundling everyone out the door, and they do chores. There is trust on both sides, and house rules for privacy, respect and good manners. Its not perfect but we bumble along nicely I would say 85% of the time.

So yes, being a parent is great fun and a constant adventure, and you never get bored of watching your little creations turn into "real people".

I love being a mother. Yes it is hard at times and the lack of sleep is a killer, but the good parts far outweigh the hard times. One of the nicest things is seeing the world through your child’s eyes, it makes you notice things that as an adult you often take for granted.

Nobody told me how funny it would be. Its hilarious.

Their facial expressions, even as babies. Watching a baby really concentrate on having a poo - you will be in stitches!

And they stay hilarious for years and years. My 4 year old makes up silly rhymes and songs and is obsessed with gas and wind and it absolutely cracks me up.

My 2 year old lies in bed at night and chats to her teddies and makes them talk to each other about random things like cows and I listen on the monitor and giggle.

I had PND and I STILL think parenting is one of the funniest experiences of my life. I reckon I laugh every day.

I get a lot of hugs and I love yous. A lot of cuddles. That's amazing and after a hard day at work, being greeted at the door with hugs that knock you over is awesome. It's like being greeted by really heavy puppies. But I love the funny bits the most.

It took me a while to get into it. I didn't want children and got pregnant 5 years into our marriage unexpectedly (I mean, we figured out what caused it and all, but still). We then decided in for a penny, in for a pound and had another one 18 months later.

Honestly, I HATED the first few years with a passion. I thought I would never regain my sense of self, or indeed ever feel energetic again. Now though, I am SO glad we had our children. Don't get me wrong, we've had some ups and downs, particularly with our oldest who is something of an anxious child but it's generally got better and better. We've just had the best ever summer, our kids are fun and funny, engaged and engaging and I love being 4 instead of 2 - it's great.

Yes, the first bit is bloody hard work and I wouldn't want to go back to that but I do feel so immensely fortunate to have had children when we never thought it was something we were going to do. Come back to me in about 3 years when the oldest hits teenage years.

Good luck OP - just get through the first 6 weeks and then when the first smile arrives it just gets gradually easier and easier and more and more fun.

My 3 year old son came in to our room this morning, climbed into bed and gave me the biggest sloppiest kiss and cuddle. With him, DH and my huge bump all there together, that's all I need right there.

When you look at them and get that fierce feeling of love and pride that this incredible, beautiful, amazing little person came from you and belongs to you (albeit not forever), you just can't describe it. Especially when others praise your child, you want to burst with pride.

Yes much of the day to day stuff is boring and tedious and can make you want to rip your hair out with frustration but it's just part of the deal.

Ps if you are actually shitting yourself, ask yourself if it's possible you are in fact in labour cos I won't lie, that can happen.

I woke up this morning to our 7yo who'd come to our bed in the middle of the night. We had lovely snuggleds and DH brought us both tea in bed, with the dog.

Christmas is fabulous with him: dressing the tree, Xmas Eve excited can't sleep, eyes full if wonder at presents, in-depth questions about FC (what does he wear under his suit? What order fo the reindeer fly in, and does FC switch the order over? If they get tired, do they sit in the sleigh with FC?).

He's a very jolly little boy, full of hugs, laughs a lot, loves adventures, imagination the size of Brazil. Currently boring DH and I to tears about Minecraft...but, give and take

His birth was horrific; he had colic for 4 months; once he could flip over at 3 months, nappy changing was a nightmare - but he trained out of them quickly, so that was a bonus. Fussy eater, loves swimming, scared of heights, loves animals and creatures even spiders.

He's a funny wee thing and my house looks like the Lego factory vomited

What Elspeth said. I laugh til I cry every day because of my daughter. When she takes my face in her little hands and says "mummy kiss" I know there's nothing better on this earth.

DD is 11 I wouldn't swap a second of the 11 years - being a parent is the most important, and fun thing I have ever done and it's fabulous.

Yes Christmas is great. And Halloween is MUCH better now! You have such an excuse to go mad! They love it!

Mine is seven and a hilarious, wildly imaginative, stroppy, thoughtful bundle of gorgeousness. And clever as a bag of weasels.

I hated the small baby stage, but that was as much due to my own unideal circumstances at the time, but other than that, being a mother has been far more interesting than I expected. Watching him grow mentally and start to figure out the world is very rewarding.

I love it. Kids are hilarious. They can say horrible things ("I'm going to put you in the bin, mummy!") and beautiful ones ("the one thing in the world that everyone thinks is beautiful is my mummy"). The new baby bit is exhausting but it's over before you know it.

It is absolutely the best thing I’ve ever done and you still can retain who you were beforehand, it might just take a bit more effort. My son is hilarious and brings myself and my husband joy everyday. He’s also made me more focused and determined in my life and given it an extra purpose.

Sleep deprivation is crap but that’s luck of the draw and shouldn’t last forever.

I have 6. Every stage is hard for different reasons, but equally it's amazing for different reasons.

You'll be exhausted and frustrated, and sometimes downright furious, but you'll also be amazed by them, and sometimes your heart will burst with pride, and other time you'll fear that your bladder won't hold up to the laughter.

My day yesterday involved my 4 year old declaring that when she was older she was going to be a unicorn and I had to accept that as she wouldn't change her mind. Then a discussion about Brexit and parliament with my 19yo. You cross every part of the scale over the years and it's wonderful.

It's not as bad as people tell you.

My DD is 15 weeks and I have had at least 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night since about week 2.

We have been super lucky but she's perfect. She's funny and clever and absolutely gorgeous.
Every morning she wakes with a massive smile on her face and warms my heart.

It's tough, but it'll be the best thing you ever do.

The first 6 weeks were pretty crap. Hormones made me cry at least once a day. The next 6 were a bit better. After that, you get into a groove! They are so funny and such good company as they approach 6 months. I won't lie though - the sleep deprivation is probably the hardest thing I have ever had to cope with and I would pay good money for a lie-in (a real one, not one where I have to wake at 6 anyway to breastfeed and then DH takes baby downstairs).

I struggled at first but I love my DS more than anything. It’s hard but worth it. I love taking him swimming, watching him try food for the first time, sleepy cuddles! Wouldn’t change it for the world.