To not really like small children despite having one?!

[Sadmadsleepy]

Just that really. Feel the stereotype is that we all love babies and little’uns. I was never overly keen on them pre motherhood, and haven’t found that’s really changed.

I can see the cute side a bit more, like when it makes me think of my own DD at that age, and am much more confident in knowing how to interact with them and keep them alive if needed! However, the mini-person maternal urge seems to be turned off in me. With the exception of my own child lol; my liking just doesn’t extend beyond her.

Ironically, I work in a child-focused industry, but this is with school-aged children and I have no issue with that/ do actually like young children…just can’t see past the crying, crazy, snot-filled hooligans they are when very small to find the joy in them at that age!

Is this weird? Any others just not baby/toddler people but still like children overall?!

Indeed. It’s almost a badge of honour to hate all children other than one’s own on Mumsnet, and to probably hate most elderly people, all sister- and mother-in-laws and most father-in-laws too. And anyone who is fat. Definitely your neighbours. Oh yes and all people suffering with a mental health condition have to get themselves treatment and be up and running marathons within a week, or they are hated as well. As is anyone who rings the doorbell.

To be fair, I think it’s partly a reaction to women having been socialised to be caring and nurturing and welcoming at all times, when they are probably not hugely more, or not hugely less, naturally caring than blokes, but blokes can get away with living an existence that is semi-detached from the emotional labour of raising a family and being responsible for elderly parents etc, while women are judged far more negatively if they do not demonstrate compassion and nurturing to all, to their own and their extended family and friends, in a shiny welcoming home, all done with a smile.

This was just about possible when many women were sahms and they had time to host children’s parties in their own homes, have extended family to stay, look after a sick elderly neighbour down the road, volunteer at church, send Christmas cards etc. But now women are working ft with all the stresses that brings, especially when juggling the care of young dc at the same time; everyone except the immediate family can fuck right off.

I’ve always been surprised to read on here how many parents seem to really dislike children other than their own.

I love kids, always have, toddlers and pre-schoolers are the best though. I love chatting with them and hearing all about what they’ve been up to, etc. they’re so full of innocence and wonder!

it probably explains why it’s always my house the kids end up at rather than my kids going round to their friends! I tend to try to buy in favourite drinks and stuff for their closest friends to ensure they feel welcome.

I dunno, with me it’s babies. I can’t deal with babies. I like older children (and old people and my neighbours 😂) but I don’t like babies and never have - love my own but I still can’t wait for her to not be a baby anymore, and even if I could have more children I wouldn’t because I couldn’t do this stage again.