For looking forward to the time when ds is no longer a baby?

[peggotty]

I have discovered that I really really don't enjoy the 'baby stage'. I didn't with dd who was an 'easy' baby, and so far the 1st six months of ds' life have left me a stressed out, physical and emotional wreck. I hate the obssessing about what he eats/how much he sleeps etc etc etc. I won't be having any more children so part of me thinks I should be attempting to enjoy his babyhood, but you know what, I just can't. I am looking forward to him being a toddler (yes, even tantrums etc), being able have a conversation with him, read him proper stories, watch him and dd play together (especially that part . Am I going to regret feeling this way?

I so LOVED ds' baby time....our little routine, snuggly feeds, walks with the pram, him smelling all gorgeous in his babygro and sleeping bag

luckily for me I love the rest so far too DS is six. What I am really, really crap at though is rough and tumble. I can't do it, and I sit there with every nerve end jangling as DS and DH do it, I can't judge whether the noise is a real cry, a laugh, whether the "AAAAaaarrrrggghhhhh" is REALLY because he has broken something.....I find it so stressful and I really HATE it

Can't love everything, I guess

When you say the 'baby' stage, what age do you mean?
Does 15 months old qualify, or is that on to the toddler stage?(although my DS isn't toddling yet!)

Countingthegreyhairs on Sun 20-Jul-08 21:35:43
"I love the baby stage - sorry!

They are so portable and COMPLIANT ....no negotiating involved ...."

Compliant forsooth! Dd refused to feed for the first 3 months of her life. Force-feeding a baby breastmilk is considerably harder work than negotiating pocket money and homework rules with an 11-year-old. I loved her and she was cute- but I am too old for that sort of thing now.

While I do like my children, mostly, I'm also very pleased that they are going to grow up and that some day - 14 years off - I am going to be CHILDFREE and free and will be able to do exactly what I like again.

I am making plans already. They include a pristine little home with no-one in it. no mess or clutter or squawking or fighting. And lots of lovely calm holidays. And lots of relaxed long distance travelling with along long book and no-one to look after. And oodles of peace and quiet. DP will perhaps be handily housed nearby but not IN my pristine home.

DS is now 81/2 months old and I can't wait to go back to work, never thought I'd say that!

I just find the whole looking after a baby thing so boring. I do all the things I'm supposed to do with him, we play and go for walks etc but doing it day in day out is very wearing. He's a bit more interesting now he can move about but still...... wish it was this time next year

lol Fennel

I stand corrected Cory

dd was a very compliant, smiley baby, who ate & slept well ... it's only when she learnt the power of the word "no" that things started to deteriorate ....

I adore the baby stage when you are the centre of their world and it's so easy to fulfil all their needs...(sorry, not very helpful)

I dislike the baby stage precisely because you are the centre of their world. I know some people really love that dependancy thing, but I found it incredibly suffocating. Especially with dd who was a complete limpet, only happy when being carried about. On being put down she would scream! Now she is a lovely (not so) little girl who is mostly a delight to be around. I can still go in at night and think "ah isn't she lovely" in the same way I did when she was a baby, so I don't think I've lost out. Maybe when (if) I am a grandmother I'll enjoy babies, but I have to admit I'm not even that fond of other babies in the family (toddlers and children are another matter).

I dislike the baby stage too. DD was a colicky nightmare and DS was an angry baby. Love them once they get to the mobile stage and then they just get fabber and fabber - terribe twos, awful threes - just love them (well mine anyway!). Every age is easy compared to the baby stage

I am very much looking forward to ds (13 months) being able to tell me what he wants - frantic pointing and yelling "da da" doesn't always help. For me, small people become a lot more appealing when you reach that stage. That, and not needing to be surgically detached from me if I need to leave the room.

Newborns leave me fairly cold. Older babies have their delightful moments, and I am finding it much easier second time round, but oh how I long for the sunny uplands of 3+. 3 is brilliant. I love 3 year olds. Nothing is as hard as a baby (that said, I have my doubts about teenagers).

urgh yes mine weren't compliant either

and neither managed more than one brief nap per day

perhaps if I'd have two free hours in the middle of the day and the ability to put my baby down at any point during the first six months without it screaming it's head off, I would have enjoyed it a tad more

should have added but probably not necessary

god, baby stage is bloody hard work...love 3.5 upwards..they are fun if demanding and you can talk to them and they come out with the funniest things..gets easier as they get older..dont miss the baby stage at all