Do you have any strategies to stop you wishing your child's life away?

[TheSurgeonsMate]

I think I am quite good at being "present" with dd, who is 2. But I do need to remind myself quite a lot not to moon over what we'll be able to do when she's older.

Examples,

See lovely toy or outfit for older child and think 'wow!' she'll be needing that should I buy it?! Strategy: chant "They aren't going to stop making cool stuff" OR buy it for older child of a friend.

Start wasting time wondering how I'll introduce dd to certain things, like wondering what would be a good graphic novel for younger readers. Strategy: chant "Her own interests will be apparent if you wait!"

Read review of some essential children's book. Strategy: add to amazon wish list set up for dd and forget it.

Cool museums. Strategy: just go anyway. She's quite an amenable soul who will get something out of a trip, and I'll probably enjoy it.

Do you recognise the tendency to wish your child's life away? Any tips?

I sometimes think I wished ds1's (16) away. I am desperately trying to keep ds3 (6) a baby for as long as possible. Hopefully I got it right with ds2.

If it's not going to break the bank and it's a bargain I'd buy it anyway.

I bought DD1 a lovely raincoat in the sales in age 2-3 when she was only 8 weeks old and felt ridiculous for buying it as it seemed a lifetime away that she'd be able to fit into it.

DD2 has just outgrown it :(

Sob.

Sorry, that wasn't much help.

I think it's something we all do - we're just dealing with the toddler tantrums and going out is still a little like a military exercise. Dh and I find ourselves saying 'imagine when we can just leave the house without all this preparation', 'imagine when we don't have to worry about what she eats whilst we're out' etc. I try to remind myself that she'll be less likely to want to sit on my lap and have a cuddle by this future point in time!!

True that Georgia. By the time she can climb off her own chair other issues may have arisen!

Mine are all grown now,and I often think if I could re-live one day of my life again I would choose just an ordinary day when they were little and spend all day playing and cuddling them!

My DH is constantly thinking of the books that DD (10) can read when she's much older (she reads non- stop now) - real heavy going shite that he's into which I could not get through a page of. I like to think about the films and DVDs we can watch. Recognise all the stuff posted on here, we must all do it, especially on tougher days and the times baby sitters are few and far between.

Clawdy - that is lovely.

I sympathise op. I couldn't wait for dd to be born, then I couldn't wait till we could chat, I was excited for her to start school.

Then she hit preteen and I'm trying to back peddle quickly!

Ds is 5 and I miss him being a toddler. Dd is a toddler and I wish shed hurry up and be easy like her brother. I do try and make myself live in the moment but its hard.

awww Clawdy that made me well up!

Mine are 4 and 2 and I'd quite happily keep them exactly as they are on a good day