What’s your favourite thing about your kids getting older?

[MidoriNoRingo]

Thought it might be nice to have a nicer thread for a change!

My eldest is 11 and when I come home knackered from work she is now old enough to cook us all dinner. (Which she loves doing by the way!)

what’s been your favourite things about your children growing up?

The first time they go to the shop for you is a bizarre moment

DD is 22 and has just graduated from Uni (been away for 3 years) and is now off to London so likely will never move home - she is my right arm, we get on so well and have the best relationship.

DS is coming 21 and is at Uni, he is most gentle soul. He messages me most days to tell me he loves me. I have been a single Mum for 9 years and whilst it has been tough at times it has been so so worth it.

I love that I get to step back for really mothering them and watch them make their own adult decisions. I also love my freedom and peace and quiet around the house!

We can go on proper bike rides, walk up proper mountains, watch the Shining (etc), he makes me tea without me even asking for one, folds all the washing and puts it all away in everyone's rooms, we laugh a lot as we have a similar humour, I can have all the hoodies, trainers and football shirts he grows out of at the moment (so he gets bought extra nice stuff I can inherit).

He's 15, he's lovely.

Sleep.

Their individual interests that have nothing to do with me. Love how enthusiastic they can be, doing their own research on stuff and getting joy out of something I’d never have thought of.

I loved it when mine could make their own breakfast and were responsible enough to potter about downstairs on their own in the mornings meaning I could ease myself into the day with a cuppa in bed instead of being forced into action at some Godforsaken hour!

I am not a morning person!

Everything! The difference between younger kids and older is unfathomable. I'm on holidays at the moment and I'm doing absolutely nothing, they come and go to the pool as they please. No more watching them. It's an actual holiday! I love that they are growing up, I love that they are so different from each other. I'm feeling much more positive about the future than I did when they were younger.

Never having to watch another Pixar film.
Apart from that, watching them change and grow and mature into wonderful adults, while being there and cheering them on through every milestone along the way.

This is different at different stages.
I mean, the pp who said "They moved out" has a point

I remember it seemed like a massive thing once they were able to plug their own seatbelts in, and we could just all get in the car and drive off

I very much enjoyed the youngest turning 8 so I no longer had to go in the swimming pool with them. That was a very good day.

I think the stage when you can leave them home alone for 30mins or an hour is a big one too.

But yes, once they start cooking family meals regularly is a nice milestone.

Yup. Me too.

They're all very grown up now, but thinking back, I particularly enjoyed -

• the moment I realised I'd changed my last nappy (barring potential grandchildren - none yet)
• one of my kids really getting into punk rock from the late 70s - very much my thing
• when they began to teach me things I didn't know 😀

Currently sat on the runway at Manchester airport with my four dc delayed because of baggage issues.
They are all sat quietly either reading or on a phone. I feel for all the parents wrestling toddlers it trying to keep babies happy while we wait.

That I can go to the 7am swim at the lido any day I want.

Going for a walk/to run an errand alone.

Eating out at fancier places.

Days out are a pleasure.

DS is 11.

DS is a proper grown up adult now. I have to make sure he doesn’t see me cry when I’ve spent time and say goodbye to him because I feel broken every time, though I burst with with pride over the man he is.

Most proud when I realised he’s a good man - supportive of his partner who has Mh issues. He can clean, cook, garden, decorate and he just has such a calming personality. He’s a true joy (though I don’t gush like this at him as I know he may end up with a big head). And he’s not at all entitled and just grafts hard at everything he does.

I miss him.