To ask what it's like when your kids grow up

[twelveminutespast]

I have a 10 month old baby boy and he's my first. I just read another thread about OP saying she'd had enough of parenting teens. The thought of my little baby boy growing up into a young man makes me so sad.

I know it's a long way off but time flies

What's it like when your babies grow up? Is it difficult or does it just feel like a natural adjustment? He's my first DC so I've never experienced it before

We have a 14 year old son. Has been amazing fun. He is a joy to have around. We've enjoyed everything. We are only sorry time flies and he'll inevitably will be more independent from us.
Best 14 years of our lives. It is hard but hopefully he won't be too far away in the future.

16 - 18 was frustrating and sometimes upsetting.

20 is a delight!

You adjust as they grow. Then one day you look at the 6ft 4 man about to get married and you wonder how life can go so by so fast and you wish you could remember it all. Treasure every moment whilst they are little. I wish I'd done more of that.

It’s amazing! I can’t lie, I love it more and more the older they get. Ds1 was a troubled teen and caused me anxiety but is now 21, living with his partner of three years, financially independent, we have a great relationship, go for days out, he’s almost a friend really, we have lots in common and enjoy our time together. Ds2 is now 17 and the most chilled laid back boy ever, independent lots of friends, working hard and dd is 15, alka it finished school, bright, clever beautiful outgoing lots of friends.
The time we spend with them is quality time, I feel proud we’ve raised lovely humans. They’re much easier than when they were tiny, and dh and I now have a life too!

I have a 23 year old dd. Every year is better than the last. I much prefer an older child to a baby and an adult to an older child.

My son is mid-20s with mild learning difficulties and significant MH problems. Right now independent living is not possible for him but I'm hoping that will change, slowly.

His childhood was blighted by abusive birth parents which made growing up very difficult for him (and very difficult for me to deal with his acting out to someone he felt safe with.)

He managed to scrape a pass in 2 GCSEs; I was incredibly proud. He has since gone on to do his Functional Maths and English and passed the first level in both.

As he's got older, parenting him has become much more enjoyable. We have a very similar sense of humour and share many interests and viewpoints.

On the day he finally moves out I will be sad in many ways, but I will be proud to have raised him to independence despite his poor start in life. And I am pretty sure he'll still come back for a Sunday roast once a week :)

I have a 3yo and another baby on the way- I can't imagine them being old enough to live without me, but know the day will come.

I do hope though that I'll be able to view it as a privilege... I know of several people who have not lived to see their children to age 18 and/ or become independent adults. That's one of my biggest fears now I'm a mum.

I'll probably be sobbing inconsolably as they pack their bags, but hopefully I'll also feel a sense of pride, achievement and relief that they can make it on their own in the world.

Every stage is different. I'm a grandmother, it's lovely to see the grandchildren as they become teenagers. I believe if our children go off happily independent into their futures as young adults then we as parents have done our job.

I have a 13 year old DD, a 10 year old DD and a 7 year old DS and so far I am loving it. DD (13) and I never really got on. Chalk and cheese. Until this year. She is so, SO mature, sensible, smart, polite, thoughtful, funny and amazing girl growing into an amazing woman.

I'm not religious but by Zeus! I'm certainly praying she stays this way!
Each stage of childhood is an adventure and it's wonderful to watch their characters and traits develop.

DS1 is 29 but will never move out (he lives with my DM), as he's too ill. I'd love him to look after his health, but he doesn't seem to care.

My eldest turns ten in a couple of weeks and I can barely believe it. He was ten months old like your DS two minutes ago. It really does fly...

I absolutely adore babies and toddlers and always got really sad about the fact that my children were growing up so fast, but you do adjust. The teenage years can be really difficult, but once you're through the worst of that it's amazing to be able to sit back a bit and pat yourself on the back for the good job you've done of bringing up these amazing people, who just happen to be not only my children but also my best friends

'll probably be sobbing inconsolably as they pack their bags, but hopefully I'll also feel a sense of pride, achievement and relief that they can make it on their own in the world.

When certain stages have happened in our boys lives, my wife wells up a little a has what she calls a "Mum moment".

The last time was when I put on a jumper when it turned cold. She had a "Mum moment" as it was the jumper I was wearing when our eldest was first born and at hours hold I was holding him and he was sleeping on it.

Scary to think that jumper is at least 18 years old and looks as good as new.

@EvenMoreFuriousVexation you're amazing.

Mine are 20s and have left home. They are gorgeous human beings. Love them to bits. They both moved out as teens and it was the right time. Have to admit things got strained when they moved back for periods of time for different reasons.

Hated the teenage years. It was hell.

Mmm funny when I think of my own childhood, although not an unhappy one, it seemed to be never ending. Now a mother of 3 teens and I'm thinking how did that happen. The house is either shaking with bustle, or eerily quiet when they're all out. I think what I miss most about the early years is just being able to grab and hug them at will. Not so easy now. Yes enjoy it while it lasts.

I just adore having older dc. Mine are 15 and 13, will be out at Uni in the blink of an eye. I love seeing them turn into their own people with their own foibles and values. They are amazing company and I love sitting around the kitchen table with them, putting the world to rights.

I also love dh and I getting more time and space to live our own lives again. We raised ours with very little family support and the baby/toddler years were intense with little respite. It feels incredible now to be able to just wander off to the pub whenever we fancy!

Mine are 14, 11 and 8. They are fab but pretty full on. I miss the 5 and under years so much that I feel enormously emotional when I look at photos of them when they were this age. It’s weird as I never really thought I wanted children! My 14 year old is (mostly) great fun, we can have a real laugh but I still miss the baby years (although not enough to have another ). We’re seriously considering rescuing a puppy so hopefully that’ll assuage my need for something small to mother.

My friend lost her daughter aged 10 so I’m acutely aware of how lucky I am.

to all of you who have lost children

And then the little buggers do what my 13 year old did last night. Home an hour late from being out, pitch black and cold. We knew he was ok as he has a phone, but still. His mum was out. (How very dare she!!! ), so I missed out on training as I had to finish cooking his tea.

So, when I said up thread that it's great? Hmmmmmm!!

Well, the 18 year old is fine at the moment.

I have to agree with the posters who say it’s gets better with age.

I have so far loved every stage of the dds lives, but I think the teenage faze is so far the best ( I am blessed with a lovely teen, I know some can be challenging, I was myself!).

Dds are 15 and nearly 12 and such good company, we get on so well and have so much fun together. I do feel for poor old DP though, as we do gang up on him a bit at times.