To think parenting feels more real when they pass toddlerhood?

[ChessorPress]

I will start off by saying I had brilliant sleepers as babies and toddlers. So didn’t have to contend with sleep deprivation which may cloud my judgement.

I found the baby and toddler years a complete bubble of cuteness and overall just enjoying them. They were portable and slotted in.

DCs are 5 and 9. I feel like a real ‘parent’ now. Juggling schedules, routine and discipline of actual children.

I feel like a proper ‘Mum’ now. Whereas before I was arsey farty fairying around

Now I feel like a proper grown up, responsible for actual children.

Anyone else feel similarly?

I became a mum quite young and for the first time ever, I feel like a young mum. A bit out of my depth.

Something I never felt at all when I had babies/toddlers/very small child

I feel that even more strongly now I have teenagers! I even just wrote “Mum” in a card from them to their Dad for his birthday.

I haven’t really felt like more of a parent as time goes on, granted the eldest is 7 so young but still in the bracket you’re talking about.
I enjoyed the baby stage and toddler stage but I didn’t really view it as arsey fairying around, to me it’s a very crucial part of child development and therefore parenting.