Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

The best days of your life..

65 replies

Sundancer77 · 01/01/2020 20:43

Feeling thoughtful, with it being New year. Have a beautiful baby girl I adore and although it’s exhausting and hard at times, she means the world to us. When I had her, my Mum said ‘These will be the best days of your life, they’re about to begin’
When were the best days of your life (thus far?) as although I love my life in lots of ways..when I really think about it, I think of them as being when I was young and carefree and times were exciting..were they as soon as you had children? (For those who have children)

OP posts:

Gingernaut · 02/01/2020 11:49

It's strange.

At every stage of my life, I was quite miserable.

Mute, anxious, socially awkward, with undiagnosed ADHD and dyslexia, uncomprehending parents and no real ambition, I was always completely miserable.

It's only when I look back that I realise when the 'good times' were.

shortytrekker · 02/01/2020 11:50

My children are young. In the summer we spend time at the beach, time outdoors, on holiday, camping, late evenings in the summer sun... watching them play and be happy are the best times of my life. When I'm completely fulfilled and happy. It's a feeling, and I embrace it. Other times to (I had an emotional moment watching them on Christmas morning) but those summer days are special.

shortytrekker · 02/01/2020 11:51

I don't think the baby days are the absolute best, however fantastic and lovely it can be. It's when they're a bit older and can be more involved in family times that are special, I think.

QuietCrotchgoblins · 02/01/2020 11:53

I've enjoyed every stage of life for different reasons so far. Some bits have sucked- deaths, grieving, illnesses, disappointments. I hope I remember these days fondly with my young children but also remember it was bloody hard work, relentless and prolonged sleep deprivation was torture!!

ForkThis · 02/01/2020 11:54

I met Nathan Fillion and he hugged me and called me an angel.

Think it was the highlight of my life tbh.

londonrach · 02/01/2020 11:55

Now!!! Ok we always got money worries but im very happy, ive a house after years of renting, sofa surfing, dd and friends and dh. My 40s been amazing love them. Hated my 20s and 30s...sofa surfing, no dd, lived in 20 places. My biggest fear is returningto those days.

NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace · 02/01/2020 12:20

My best days are always now. If it becomes any other way, then I look to change things.

I may only get one life: I'm going to enjoy all of it

GoodbyeRosie · 02/01/2020 12:29

Probably my late 30's when I went to university..I buried that past of a horrible time at school and due to supportive parents, a part time job, and the Student Loan system, I've never had as much money or spending power.

I studied a subject I loved, was able to go on holidays which I hadn't been able to before, and lived with a mate which went really well.

Carefree days!

goodnightdigger · 02/01/2020 12:38

My mum often says the best days of her life were when we were small, and regularly points out that this is what I should be experiencing now.
But I think she's looking back with rose-tinted glasses, because I remember her being very angry and sick of us kids most of the time 🤷🏻‍♀️

LemonPrism · 02/01/2020 13:09

I'm 25, I hated school, had mental health problems in uni so the best times of my life this far are right now...

Henlie · 02/01/2020 13:55

Without a doubt the best years of my life were my 20s, especially early 20s. That decade was a mixture of finishing my degree, working and traveling abroad, then getting a job. Most of the decade, bar the year working abroad, was spent living in London. I had the time of my life! Not having to think about anyone other than myself. Life was very exciting and spontaneous back then and I felt very alive, as though anything was possible.

Plus, I made some of my best friends during these years, all of who I see now.

Now in my 40s, I have a DH and DD(5). Life is lovely, but challenging and exhausting at times - with a lot of responsibility. I don’t think I’d describe my current situation as the best days of my life.....although I wouldn’t change anything.

Stompythedinosaur · 02/01/2020 14:20

Having a baby was far from the best for me. I found the lack of sleep horrendous.

On the other hand I would say some of the best days of my life have been with my dc now they are a little older. Particularly holidays in the age 4-8 bracket - old enough to explore and do activities with.

poppycity · 02/01/2020 15:21

My best days of my life were when my children were little. I just couldn't see it for the sleep deprivation and exhaustion. But if I had a day to time travel I'd go back in a heartbeat. Then I'd go back to being childfree for a day too! :D

Waxonwaxoff0 · 02/01/2020 16:17

@ThereWillBeAdequateFood I'm not there yet but I think my 40s will be great. Had DS young so by that time he will be an adult, and my mum will only be in her early 60s so all things going well, I'll have no caring responsibilities at all.

Octopus37 · 02/01/2020 18:49

For me lots of years have been a mix of good and bad. Didn't have a great time at school tbh but the 6th form years were good. When I first started uni that was pretty good too, but I did struggle with mental health and an ed for part of it. Also tbh if I had my time again, I would have studies very different things. First year after uni, having to move back home to a small town was pretty hellish, lost my freedom, moved away again as soon as I could. First year living down South was great (age 22/23), met my DH, but then family members started getting ill. Lost my Mum when I was 27. Had some tough times at work in my late 20s/early 30s, had DS1 when I was 32, had a bit of a wait and a miscarriage first, so remember that first pregnancy as a very positive time, also really enjoyed the early months with him, made some great local friends. Struggled with work but found a way forward working from home. DS2 born two and a half years later. Although I was thin and we got out and about a lot more, I found the early years with 2 v hard, definitely don't hanker for 10 years ago. Didn't have a lot of family support. When DSs were 6 and 4, lost a very close friend, then a year later we lost my MIL, v hard on kids and all round. Work has been my salvation , even though I am a low earner and self-employed. Has been an undercurrent of family problems which tbh think have impacted very negatively on Motherhood. Gradually finding it easier (on a practical level anyway) as the kids are getting older. They are 12 and nearly 10, I am 45 next week. Look forward to being able to go out in the evening more easily, DH works shifts and to having more freedom with work. Think 40s are hard though in terms of difficulties with parents/kids, oldest DS isn't the easiest and my Dad is a nightmare. We are moving house soon so will be a bit of a fresh start, hoping for some easier years ahead, but hard to say whether they will be the best or not. Also think the rose tinted glasses thing is v true re kids.

Flip

1 2 3