To be shocked at just how fast babies grow up?

Honestandkind · 2024-12-08T15:50:03+00:00

I feel like an idiot writing this but I'm genuinely a little upset at how fast my baby is growing up. One minute she's a tiny baby (less than 6lbs) and the next minute she's standing (when did that start??), top 5% in weight and height and trying very hard to talk. I'm not upset that she's hitting her milestones - that's brilliant and wonderful to watch her develop but....it's over so fast. It really is that fast isn't it.

Humphreyshead · 08/12/2024 15:52

I know what you mean! My brother is about to have his 1st baby and I was reminiscing about when mine was a baby. I remember it so clearly!…. He’s 6ft 2 and 15yrs! 🙈

romdowa · 08/12/2024 15:54

Yep my son is 3 and it's gone passed in the blink of an eye. I remember being really upset because he had no interest in crawling and worrying that he'd never walk and then that he'd never talk . He's now a running and talking machine.

Original poster

Honestandkind · 08/12/2024 15:59

romdowa · 08/12/2024 15:54

Yep my son is 3 and it's gone passed in the blink of an eye. I remember being really upset because he had no interest in crawling and worrying that he'd never walk and then that he'd never talk . He's now a running and talking machine.

Haha years ago I met a woman who's son was late at walking and I asked "aren't you worried?"

"Nope, never met a grown man crawling around." She quipped 😂. It's such a good reply

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steelseries · 08/12/2024 16:02

I feel the opposite! My kids are 6 and 7 now but honestly pre-children feels like a decade ago.

Bambooshoot · 08/12/2024 16:04

YANBU! No one really mentions that you will fall in love with a newborn, adore your growing baby, toddler, child, teen . . . they will just keep growing and changing and you love them always but that you kind of grieve the baby and toddler they were, because where did they go? They were distinct personalities but you’re just supposed to manage without them now? Obviously it’s a huge privilege to have your child grow up, the alternative is unthinkable and I’m so grateful I get to see my son flourish, but I do miss his younger self, even though I utterly adore him as he is - I do cry any time I hear that ABBA song “Slipping Through My Fingers” though!

TenderChicken · 08/12/2024 16:07

Compared to animals we are really slow! Imagine if they were completely grown up by age 5.

Original poster

Honestandkind · 08/12/2024 16:11

Bambooshoot · 08/12/2024 16:04

YANBU! No one really mentions that you will fall in love with a newborn, adore your growing baby, toddler, child, teen . . . they will just keep growing and changing and you love them always but that you kind of grieve the baby and toddler they were, because where did they go? They were distinct personalities but you’re just supposed to manage without them now? Obviously it’s a huge privilege to have your child grow up, the alternative is unthinkable and I’m so grateful I get to see my son flourish, but I do miss his younger self, even though I utterly adore him as he is - I do cry any time I hear that ABBA song “Slipping Through My Fingers” though!

You've articulated my thoughts exactly!

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EdithGrantham · 08/12/2024 16:11

Bambooshoot · 08/12/2024 16:04

YANBU! No one really mentions that you will fall in love with a newborn, adore your growing baby, toddler, child, teen . . . they will just keep growing and changing and you love them always but that you kind of grieve the baby and toddler they were, because where did they go? They were distinct personalities but you’re just supposed to manage without them now? Obviously it’s a huge privilege to have your child grow up, the alternative is unthinkable and I’m so grateful I get to see my son flourish, but I do miss his younger self, even though I utterly adore him as he is - I do cry any time I hear that ABBA song “Slipping Through My Fingers” though!

Absolutely this, my youngest DD is now 4 months and I'm pretty sure we're done having children but the thought of never again snuggling a newborn baby that is mine is really upsetting, I can see why some people have huge families just for that reason.

Cantgetausername87 · 08/12/2024 16:12

Yep! I think when you have your own child the change and rate of development is mind blowing. With other children you enjoy seeing it but it's not as sad too. They really are only a baby for the shortest of time x

Original poster

Honestandkind · 08/12/2024 16:12

steelseries · 08/12/2024 16:02

I feel the opposite! My kids are 6 and 7 now but honestly pre-children feels like a decade ago.

2 kids that close in age you're probably run off your feet! We're trying for a second so maybe I'll be in your shoes soon!

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ReignOfError · 08/12/2024 16:13

Yes. I always shudder just a little when I hear parents (or any family member) say ‘I can’t wait until s/he can do…’

Original poster

Honestandkind · 08/12/2024 16:15

EdithGrantham · 08/12/2024 16:11

Absolutely this, my youngest DD is now 4 months and I'm pretty sure we're done having children but the thought of never again snuggling a newborn baby that is mine is really upsetting, I can see why some people have huge families just for that reason.

Show quote history

Yeah, my husband will support as many children as I like - but MN has highlighted how expensive teens can be, and how much emotional care they'll need. So I'm restricting myself to 2 or 3

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TickingAlongNicely · 08/12/2024 16:15

I used to be able to carry mine around, one in each arm, until they were 5&3.

Then one at a time...

Doubt I could pick up either now. The 13yo is nearly my height, 11yo not far behind.

Christmas presents are hair straighteners, kindle, hoodies, walking boots... wheres the barbies and trains gone?

The trampoline is about dead... thats been a constant in the garden for 7 years.

But it feels like yesterday we excitedly announced the first pregnancy!

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 08/12/2024 16:16

I gave a "baby" a lift today. She was 15 last week!

But I know what you mean @OP
DS is in the middle of mock GCSEs and applying to sixth forms. I’m not sure what 16 years feels like, but I expected it to be longer than the time since has was a scrawny little month early baby.

CarrotPencil · 08/12/2024 16:17

Yyyyyyyup. Babies don’t keep. Kids are the best (scariest!) embodiment of the passage of time, you can see it flying right before your eyes.

Ladamesansmerci · 08/12/2024 16:18

Yes I have 6mo girl, and sometimes I look at her and just cry lol. It's a combination of how much I love her, nostalgia for those magical first few days, and excitement at how well she's growing. I grief each stage, but also look forward to seeing who she'll become.

ProssecoSparkle · 08/12/2024 16:20

I hear you op and pp. Mine are 24 and 13 now. I tried to cling on but time was like water through my hands.

I am missing all the little things we used to do around Christmas. Dh said he would do them with me which is sweet of him but it's not the same.

PinkCherryPie · 08/12/2024 16:23

Someone I follow on Instagram made me cry so hard today. They shared a post about how there is the last time you pick you child up, one day you will never pick them up and carry them ever again.
My little one is 14 months and the first 5/6 months I just wanted to send him back I had such awful PND. I know it is fruitless and I try really hard not to feel guilty and think about it, but I want that time back so badly.

InfoSecInTheCity · 08/12/2024 16:27

Yes it really does seem to go fast, my 10yo has decided this weekend she wants cropped hoodies and to think more about what she's wearing rather than just wearing joggers and a hoodie. She's like a little teenager all of a sudden and 2 minutes ago she was a giggling toddler letting me blow raspberries on her belly.

tobee · 08/12/2024 16:31

The weirdest thing with having children is how it goes incredibly, incredibly fast. And really, really slooowwwwwwllllly at the same time (going back to sleep/the days when you're tired/reading the same story over and over again/standing watching them play in a playground when you're freezing cold)

ChillysWaterBottle · 08/12/2024 16:33

YANBU OP it's mental isn't it. A bit scary.

MereDintofPandiculation · 08/12/2024 16:34

At the time the sleepless nights and all the other problems of babyhood seemed to last an eternity. Now they're nearly 40, their childhoods seem to have gone in a flash

Newsenmum · 08/12/2024 16:39

Another thing the longest time you’ll know your child is as an adult. The childhood stage is very short! Let them be kids.

Crunchymum · 08/12/2024 16:41

It's a hard one for me.

My youngest DC has a rare genetic condition and is globally delayed in all areas. So they've taken an age to meet milestones (walking about age 2, non verbal until age 5, didn't toilet train until age 6, well behind their peers now academically and socially and always will be) so it's been a totally different experience with DC3.

With my other 2 I feel like I just blinked. But I'm eternally grateful they are happy and healthy and have progressed as they have.

I find myself much more mindful now about my children growing and try not to wish a moment away, whilst celebrating all the milestones (and inch-stones) as and when they are reached.

Lemonade2011 · 08/12/2024 16:41

I work with babies, I have my own teens 13-23 and it’s true what they say when they are small the days are long but the years are fast. I can’t believe how quickly time has gone and my boys are growing up. It’s scary and I do miss their toddler days