to think some people enjoy babyhood more than others?

[FunnysInLaJardin]

I didn't really properly enjoy my DS's when they were babies.

I had a very short maternity leave with DS1 - 3 months- and had to go back full time after

With DS2 I was desperate to get back to work and did so after 8 months.

My niece has just had a baby and it seems to me she is loving it and is enjoying every minute.

My babies were and are beautiful but I have to say on the whole I am enjoying the teen years far more

I enjoyed the teen years much more than the baby and toddler years.

Sure. I hated every second, dashed back to work early, and only genuinely started enjoying parenthood once I wasn’t doing it all the time.

I loved the baby days - pretty happy with it all but adored the baby days. Took me by surprise to be honest.

Depends on the baby too. DS1 from about four months to nearly a year woke every 45 minutes. I was broken (as was DH). Too right I’m enjoying having a delightful 11 year old more.

My husband was the baby whisperer. I liked 2-4 and I am LOVING 8-10.

7 was and is a pile of absolute pants.

I loved the baby and toddler years, it was such a special time. I'm enjoying the teen years too - tbh I just enjoy parenting, the motivation is the same at all stages, just wanting to do the best for the people I've created.

I adored my babies. I felt complete having them snuggled into me. I only grow to adore them more as they get bigger (they’re 10 and 3.5) but I do miss the baby stage. I’m pregnant with DS and whilst I’m so looking forward to it, I’m also sad knowing he’s my final baby.

Yeah I struggled with the baby times and have enjoyed it much more as they’ve become older. I always loved them but I’m ok with admitting that I found the baby years hard going. It also helps me avoid being broody around new babies.

see, I never felt that sadness, never yearned for babies.

Maybe that is why I didn't really enjoy the baby years

sounds familiar!

Also the time they’re babies is so short (even though it didn’t feel it) that I’m glad that wasn’t my favourite time.

I was surprised how much I loved the baby stage. I was expecting not to, but it amazed me seeing DS1 (and now DS2) learn and develop at such an amazing rate. I've found all ages fun in different ways. I hope. DS1 has just turned 5, and the fun has yet to make itself apparent...

Loved the baby years, both of mine slept well, ate well and were easy babies.
The toddler years were harder but OK, surprisingly enjoying the teen stage.

Can I ask what you found tough about 7? My 7 yr old has been particularly challenging for a whilst so would love to hear how it'll get better soon 🤣🙏

Another one who enjoyed parenting more as kids got older. Baby and toddler stage needy and exhausting plus one child who was hard work but that has translated into a funny and feisty spirit in older years. Definitely a late bloomer 😅

I couldn’t love babies more. I’ve got one at the moment, my second, and it’s the best.

In my experience it’s because 7 is in between young child and old child. Young enough to have full blown tantrums and arguments but old enough that everything you used in previous years to parent is now up the shitter because they can see through your parenting 🤣

I loved having babies, and hated the seemingly billions of years parenting school age kids!

I loved the baby times so much.
It was hard once they reached school age and I felt like I was
constantly rushing from one place to the next.
Mine are teens/young adults and I love this stage too, it’s so interesting watching them and their friends find their places in life.

I really didn't enjoy the baby bit. One baby was much easier than the other but even with her I didn't love that phase. I enjoy them more and more as they grow and can speak and give us an insight into the madness that is their minds.

Yeah, I think I loved babies. I didn't love the lack of sleep with my second though. And I had a very active, challenging toddler at the time. And I HATED potty training
Did I love babies 🤔

I have a friend with 8 children. She told me that one of the major reasons for this is because she loves babies so much, and really enjoys having a baby to care for.

(Her youngest child is 10 years old now, and she is a great mother to her children, even if they are not babies anymore).

I loved the baby stage. Struggled with age 3-5. Now 5 is getting better.

I wish it was the other way around. They’re only babies for a short period of time. It’s better to enjoy the rest of their childhood.

I think it also depends on the baby. If they're easy, sleep well etc it's enjoyable. If they never sleep and are high needs, it's awful.

Plus pregnancy and birth factor into how you find it. I had one horrendous pregnancy that left my body broken for over a year. Tagging on a newborn to that was definitely not fun!

I definitely prefer the teen years, but my favourite is around 5 - 8.

I found the baby stage the most gruelling. Loved the baby, but being sleep deprived, isolated in a rural area with a husband that worked long hours (and wasn’t very practical when he WAS there) was knackering and it felt the most thankless. I was the most fragile ever. But school age is great. My baby’s grown into a lovely, kind and funny boy!