I can hear DH upstairs pretending to stomp around like a monster, and the kids are shrieking with joy...

[SagaNorensLeatherTrousers]

...and I just got one of those, stop-and-smell-the-roses moments where you realise those sounds are a very temporary thing.

Some day they'll grow up and not find this kind of thing amusing anymore. And I won't be able to sit down here and happily listen.

Sniff, sniff.

I think I've had one too many glasses of .

I get it . Sometimes moments just happen and stop you on your tracks (in a good way!) (possibly too much also...)

In your tracks, even

Thanks for humouring me.

I've only had 2 glasses, but I don't drink much anymore so it's made me feel a bit emosh!

I know exactly what you mean! My youngest is 12 so those moments are getting rarer... but other joys take their place x

That's comforting, Irian!

That's lovely and it is important to love it . It's too easy to get cross because he's getting them all hyper at bedtime

That's exactly it, Minimum! It's his night to do bedtime, I'm chilling with a glass of wine (as previously mentioned about 5 times now! ), and USUALLY I'd be thinking "just get them in bed so we can get our film on!" or something.

It's like I am rushing their childhood!

But anyway, yes. Sometimes, it's nice to just stop and revel in these moments. I don't do it enough!

How lovely, I thought your post was good to be a rant! You are so right.

GOING to be..oops

These times do pass, but they come back again. DH, DS, and DGS are currently rampaging around the living room shooting each other with Nerf guns!

My DC are 20 and 23 and have both flown the nest. On the rare occasions that they are both home for a visit at the same time they still howl with laughter together, and it melts my heart. Enjoy every moment, it goes far too quickly.

Thanks Hirples and Dorothy...it's nice to know it never really ends!

yes yes to other small moments taking over, DS1 is 23 and text me yesterday to say he has a present for me on monday, won't tell me what it is but is 'something I will really like' this morning he came into my room to ask if his hair looked ok since his last cut, and what did I think of the shoes he was wearing with the top, DH just rolls his eyes and laughs but I feel so happy as we spent years despairing over his anger and abusive behaviour. maybe we got it right after all. DS2 is away at uni but will text when something good happens and he wants to share, almost the equivalent of the toddler giggles, and like dorothyCom when they are both home together it is a joy to behold how well they get on, xmas was a blast as they sat up with me into the early hours sharing a drink or three and chatting like friends. So yes enjoy but do not despair there are many more heart melting moments ahead of you as they grow up.

I completely get where you're coming from

I've never said this out loud but I often feel pangs of jealousy (or is it envy? I always get those 2 confused) towards my friends who still have very young children. They've still got years of joy ahead, whereas my 2 are now 19 and 14 so don't seem to need me very much anymore

There are other joys though, don't get me wrong. Eldest and I got rather drunk together at a family party a couple of weeks ago and were shrieking with laughter all night (probably making a royal show of ourselves but we had a super time!). She's at home less and less these days and I fear it's not long before she moves out but I suppose that's life... our job as parents is to prepare them for adulthood I guess.

Lovely

I love the nights Dp does bedtime, I turn the TV down and listen to them on the monitor. Dc are evil and laugh hysterically at people getting hurt so Dp always drops the book on his face during story time. Their giggles are infectious

Enjoy all these moments,my Ds 17 tomorrow and collecting a car,I'm having moments of my own......with

Step and Boutonneux you've made me sniffly again.

This is a lovely thread. I sang my 2 year old to sleep on my lap when we were on a VERY delayed train yesterday - I was stroking his hair and watching him snuggle in to me, and it made me think that it won't be long before he won't want cuddles and mummy singing.

The guy who was sitting across to me smiled and said "He's asleep" when he'd fallen, and then when he got up, said "You two have made me want to call my mum and tell her I love her!" so I guess we're spreading the love at least...

Lovely postsi know what you mean about time though. Ds1 is 15 and ds2 is 8 . Yesterday we all went out together and had a meal it was lovely!

Sniffing here too. DD is 19, and I haven't seen her since Thursday what with work, college, parties etc.

Still sits next to us on the sofa and tells us she loves us...blows nose

phoenix!!

Okay, properly have something in my eye now. It's lovely to recognise these small moments which make it all very much worth it.

Hooley have another with me!

Ahh made me fill up too
My h would never do that. Doesn't like noise. Or playing. Or kids really

My DP does this with dd (2) when she shouts him by his real name from her cot he goes slowly up the first to stsirs then charges uo the rest like a fucking elephant. He is 17 stone.

She finds it hilarious. I have to stop my self from telling them both of.

Yesterday we had a play date and dd and her friend where running around in circles really laughing. Proper gasping for air laughing. I couldn't concentrate on what my friend was saying because the sight was so lovely.

I also have a 20 year old do I know it goes soon

My two slept in my bed last night as DH is away and it was really stormy. They're 11 and 9 and I just couldn't stop gazing at their sleeping faces, marveling at how fast they'd grown and how soon they'll fly.

Made me more determined to grab every silly moment, cuddle, hug, even the shouty bits, and revel in them. I love how each stage brings new delights, and how proud I am when I can see the young men that they will one day become.

phoenixrose that's a lovely story