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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you to tell me something you love about being a parent

73 replies

Orangeandgold · 03/12/2023 22:11

Today I met up with a friend and her mum. Me and my friend are in our early 30s. We had a 4 way conversation which included me and my daughter who is a tween. We were laughing, bantering, talking about school, childhood and general life (My daughter has quite engaging conversations that my adult friends tend to enjoy - I often really enjoy conversations with her too!).

Although my friends mum was a working parent (so am I) they were sharing so many memories and I loved how close they were.

AIBU to think that most people complain about their children although there are so many gems about being a parent. Obviously not for everyone but I can’t be part of a minority group that enjoy it.

I just want a thread where people share what they love about parenting.

OP posts:
Ontheperiphery79 · 03/12/2023 22:15

Bed time!

Highlyflavouredgravy · 03/12/2023 22:16

Mine are adults now and absolutely fantastic human beings. I love looking at them and thinking.....we made you!

Permanentchange · 03/12/2023 22:18

I enjoy different parts at different life stages.

I loved the newborn stage. I loved 3 year old cuteness. I am now enjoying my eldest (post moody hormones) becoming a young woman.

Devilsmommy · 03/12/2023 22:19

Mines only 14mo but I love watching him explore and learn new things. Never realised you could feel so proud of such small things ☺️

stargirl1701 · 03/12/2023 22:20

Bedtime story.

I was just reading the third book in our Book Advent Calendar to DD1 and thinking there may only be next year and that'll be it as she turns 12 in 2024 and will be in P7. 😭

Owlsoutsidethewindow · 03/12/2023 22:20

When they walk in and say "I love you mum" and hug you, for no particular reason (my eldest is 4.5)

When they do something kind without being asked because they thought you'd like it. Today she wanted to give me her last chocolate button because she knows I like them too

Watching them turn in to their own amazing people

Watching them play

The curiosity and excitement they have about so many things we would otherwise find boring

Being a parent is hard but it's also one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.

TeddyBeans · 03/12/2023 22:20

How DD9mo has started giving kisses (open mouthed smashing her face into mine) and how DS5 gives the most amazing cuddles. The pair of them together are a riot - he'll do anything for her and she thinks he's absolutely hilarious. He put a cushion on her earlier and you'd be forgiven for thinking he'd tickle attacked her with the amount of giggles and screeching that followed!

Them being together is the highlight of my day every day 🥰

Rachaelrachael · 03/12/2023 22:21

Morning snuggles in our bed, every day begins with a 'love you mummy' and the kids having cuddle with each other. Melts my heart 😍

NoTango · 03/12/2023 22:21

My daughter is 13 and she makes me laugh more than anyone else in the world, we are often reduced to fits of giggles where we can't breathe, she's just so funny. Honestly she keeps me young and fun. She's such good company ☺️

Mamoun · 03/12/2023 22:21

I have a 7 yo, a 5 yo and an 18 months old and I LOVE being a parent. So hard but equally so amazing. They are wonderful (v objective I know!) and my husband and I can talk for hours about their latest prowess, antics or cute comments. I have my own activity which helps me enjoy my role as a mum but literally all the difficulties are so worth it for me and I really hope we stay close as they become adults!

PinkyU · 03/12/2023 22:22

I really do love everything about being a parent, my dc are funny, so clever, interesting and so engaged. Being a parent has allowed me to look at the world in ways I never would have without my dc, see things I wouldn’t have and think in new ways.

They do, of course, challenge me but I love that too, they’re respectful and so articulate and erudite, even when we disagree we all know that we’ve been heard and respected.

Life hasn’t dealt them easy hands in number of different ways but their bravery and resilience is awe inspiring.

To see the people and adults they’re forming to be is the biggest privilege I’ve ever known, and that I’ve played a part in their life is humbling.

Echobelly · 03/12/2023 22:23

Ours are 12 and 15 - these days I love being able to share banter and personal jokes with them, and taking the piss out of each other, and just seeing them developing into these fabulous young people.

12 yo is still very affectionate and cuddly and somehow still cute (until that growth spurt hits!)

When they were little it was enjoying them being cute and cuddly.

And generally how they surprise you - when you see how you've influenced them to either be like you in some ways or the ways in which they turn out to be totally different to you.

Dryshampoofordays · 03/12/2023 22:24

It’s so hard to summarise what I love because I’ve never felt love like it, indescribable! She is the sweetest, funniest and most amazing person- even in the tough parenting moments I see her little face and want to keep doing my best for her.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 03/12/2023 22:25

I’m close to my dds 12 and 14. I feel quite lucky in that aspect. I didn’t really enjoy the baby stage with dd1, as dd2 was a calm relaxed baby. But, we stick together as a three and are close. I enjoy their company individually too as both are different.

IDontDrinkTea · 03/12/2023 22:26

honestly, pretty much everything

I love the way my 1yo says “luff you mummy” about ten times a day

I love the way my 4yo laughs all the time, she even laughs at her own jokes and I just think she’s awesome company

I love watching the two of them play together and I love how much they love each other

I love that my eldest covers the house with her drawings, she’s always drawing and asking if we can blutac them up somewhere

I love listening to them sing - even if it is Let it go again

Honestly there’s so many things I love I could go on all day

Sparklesocks · 03/12/2023 22:27

Making my DD laugh (even though it isn’t very hard at her age!) - it’s my favourite sound in the world. If I’m a bit grumpy or tired it’s like an immediate balm.

LemonLimeDivine · 03/12/2023 22:30

The kisses, cuddles and their belly laughs.

emmylousings · 03/12/2023 22:34

Friendship. My DS (19) took me to a fantastic party last night and we had a great time dancing together and then chatting till the early hours. Makes all those sleepless nights / boring park trips etc, well worth it!

PermanentTemporary · 03/12/2023 22:39

Im just so proud of him. He's so intelligent, kind and thoughtful. He's very like his dad and it's such a joy after losing his dad to have this part of him living and thriving.

NerdyBird · 03/12/2023 22:40

Cuddles, hearing them laugh, having proper conversations (when she's in the right mood). At 9 she still says I love you several times a day so I'm making the most of it.

Alltheyearround · 03/12/2023 22:43

Hearing DS (13) and DH come running up the stairs and then fits of giggles as they muck about and wrestle after school.

DS has been given a tough hand in life, but makes the most of all opportunities and I love hearing the laughter and banter and joy he and DH create together.

Despite being a grumpy teen sometimes, he is still a delight, a sensitive, loving and thoughtful lad - and a hero for all the things he overcomes.

Blessedbethefruitz · 03/12/2023 22:44

The random waking up commentary in the morning is pretty heartwarming (i co sleep), like dream talk. 'But I don't even like ducks but Thomas says they breath fire so that's OK because I love chocolate, but I can't find the bricks!' Ds is 4... And the singing, it's just pure mush.

I complain about mine sometimes, don't most people? But it's about tantrums, night wakes, etc. Overall they're an absolute delight and I consider us genuinely every single day.

ExpressionSession · 03/12/2023 22:44

I found the early years draining and exhausting (we both with FT) but I have a very good partner and overall I love parenting, we both do. We have two ND and one NT children/child and even though there are meltdowns and teenage angst and big and little challenges, they are all beyond wonderful. They bring the colour to our lives.

BurbageBrook · 03/12/2023 22:52

I love making my daughter giggle. Her little laugh is gorgeous. I love how she lights up when she sees me or my DH. I love seeing her grow and develop. I love seeing the world through her eyes and getting to experience childhood joys all over again.

Daisymae55 · 03/12/2023 22:56

My dd is 20 months. Things I love are

  • her kissing all of her toys
  • the excitement whenever she says something new
  • when she sees me and her face lights up and she says “mummyyyyyy!”
  • toddler dancing
  • watching her figure things out, trying to copy us etc
  • making her laugh. That’s my absolute favourite!
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