Why you love being a parent :)

[cloudlessskies]

Hi all,
After many months of discussion of the pros and cons of having children. DH and I have decided to 'casually try' for a little one.
I am super scared and unfortunately some threads on here don't make me feel any better!
So, please tell me what you enjoy about being a parent/what has made you smile today!

I am so f888ing PROUD of my kids, sometimes I want to burst.

"I never really feel strong emotions, like really happy or really sad, just ticking along feeling okay...... I do wonder if a little person will make me feel different in that sense."

I can guarantee that it will. There is no one on the planet that I have ever loved as fiercely, intensely and protectively as I do my children.

My two DDs are my favourite people in the world and by far my most noteworthy achievements. They are amazing. There is no one in the world I would rather spend time with. The early years are hard work, true, but nothing can take away from the sheer mind boggling love you feel for them. Impossible to explain to a non-parent.

And I am the least maternal, most uncertain not-sure-I-want-kids person going.

I didn't have kids because I was "ready" for a baby, I had kids because I knew 40 years down the line I want grandkids. A whole family. I don't want it to be just me and DH in front of the telly on Christmas Day.

clam - fierce, that is an excellent word.

I would kill anyone with my bare hands who hurt a single hair on their heads.

This has re-set my parenting resolve after a tough day - thank you.

Nothing has moved me more than the first time my toddler reached his pudgy little hand up into mine as we were walking outside.

Me and him against the world.

It's changed my life and I love it!

Days are spent giggling rather than stressing about making money for someone.

The giggles though. They're my favourite part. Being able to get a giggle out of that little fella is the best thing in the world.

I'm so bloody soppy about it and I only had kids because my husband wanted too and I thought 'why not, it'll be something new'

to... Not too

Its all the little moments. Walking out of school this afternoon, DS (7) just leaned against me, and gave me a little squeeze. He'll often just randomly insert "I love you" into the most mundane conversations, like its only just occurred to him. Its just all the little moments like that that make it all worthwhile!

I love that dd is an old soul in a tiny body. she is 21mo and has such a funny way about her. She will sigh at me if I don't do what she wants me to, wags her little finger at me telling me what to do, says 'oh mummy' and 'oh dear' if I don't do it. She makes me laugh so much and exaggerates these things even more because she knows I find it funny. She often pats me on the head, ever so condescendingly.

She will randomly shout 'duddle' (cuddle) and fling herself at me for the biggest hugs.

if she accidentally hurts me, she will kiss it better and give me a hug.

She squeals with excitement at the littlest of things, and is sometimes so happy she just has to run round in circles. I don't know how anyone could feel blue with a toddler around to be honest.

When she wakes up in the morning, she will shout out 'mummy! Oh mummy!' And she sounds really posh. I wake up smiling!

Sometimes if she is feeling really lovey dovey she will stroke my face and hair, kiss me and cuddle my head, while murmuring 'ah mummy'. I can't imagine feeling any more loved.

I have found more happiness in the time since she was born than ever before. I'm excited for you op.

My DH were in your position around a year ago and now have a DS aged 9 weeks. It happened much quicker than expected, but what we came to realise is there's never a right time to have children.

Honestly, I HATED the first month- it was so much harder than expected. Things became bearable at about six weeks and then at eight weeks I really started to see his personality come through. Now there are definitely more good days than bad. Even in the haze of sleep deprivation (and believe me you'll survive because you have to) I live for the smiles that he reserves just for me. Despite having difficulties with breastfeeding I perservered and I truly cherish those moments in the middle of the night when I'm nursing and he looks at me and holds my finger. It feels like we're the only people awake in entire world.

Yes it'll change your relationship but it bought my DH and I closer, especially in the first month when I really was at my lowest. When I see the look on his face when he rushes home from work to bathe DS I know we made the right decision.

Gosh I'm getting teary writing this and that's as I'm battling to get DS down for his nap. Good luck with whatever you decide.

The way DD sings to herself as she's drifting off to sleep...and then snores like a piglet all night!

going into my teen's room when she has been away for a week and giving her and her dog a little kiss...

Watching my 8 month old daughter's face light up the moment she see's her daddy, milky cuddles, the concentration in her face when trying to master a new trick and watching her sleep the innocent, peaceful sleep that only babies can do.

Because I never thought it was possible to love as much as I love my beautiful girls. I love them so much that nothing else comes even close to mattering to me as much as they do in the entire world. That makes up for a lot of shit.

It’s just the best thing ever. Seeing these little people who you have made grow and develop. Every stage is a wonder and now mine are in the teen stage they are becoming great company and such good fun and I am looking forward to seeing the adults they will become. There have been times when I’ve torn my hair out with them, and they have argued and torn strips off each other (and me!) but I can honestly say that at no point have I ever regretted having them. They bring out the best in me and make me want to be the best Mum I can be for them. There really is no love like it.

My dc are 9,7 & 6 now & when I'm not acting like a referee because "she took my pink pencil sharpner/I wanted the big cup/he has more than me"
I am laughing. ..There personalities are shining through at the moment & I can't believe I got so lucky to get the 3 most awesome children in the world xxx

Wow, everyone else seems to have such a great time. I'm yearning for when my 24 month old DS is old enough to go to school/be older in general. I hated the baby phase, and am hating the toddler phase. Every day is pretty awful, to be honest, and I was desperate for kids. I'm hoping life gets better than this. My DD on the other hand is the kind of baby everyone else seems to have - cute, lovely, great to be around. She's my ray of sunshine. If you get a baby like her, you'll have a great time being a parent.

Mido mine is adorable but I hate the baby phase as I worry incessantly about weight gain, development etc. I long for the day when even if she chooses not to eat her veggies or do her homework she would be able to articulate a real issue/pain and will be eating solid foods so I won't worry there's a bf problem etc every time growth slows.
It wears me down and it's specific to babyhood (ie it gets better month by month).

So I love most of it but by no means all!!

It is a huge rollercoaster of things. I have loved it and been driven spare by it in equal measure, but I wouldn't change a thing.

Mine are all older now. Three girls aged 20, 16 and 13. They are good company now, despite still knowing how to press all my buttons.

Mido, I was not best keen on the baby stage either. It was hard work, even though you do get into a routine of it eventually. Hard to explain though really. Hating the baby stage really didn't mean I did not love my babies. I did. I was just impatient to see their little characters developing and shining through, and for them to at least be out of nappies.

I much prefer mine the ages they are now, and I can actually hold an intelligent conversation with them (teenage sulks permitting, but hey, can't win them all).

Thanks for all your feedback, I got a bit emotional reading all of your responses.

DH and I were due for some 'special time' together last night but after watching a programme about a horrible moody teenager I freaked out and the deed was not done! Gosh, I'm all over the place. The smallest thing panics me but so do the big things. Child care is so frickin expensive and we don't have any family close by that would help us out. And I just can't imagine having another person in our house ALL of the time. But at the same time I do think having a family of my own would be fun. Cripes, I just want the decision made for me. Today is the last day of my fertile window and really don't know if I should go and see DH....!!

Hugs. Babies and small children have no concept of faking it so their hugs are whole-hearted and just wonderful.

And you are their world. That's pretty amazing!

Having my dd completely changed my life and focus.
It really is a different kind of happiness. I can't describe the love you feel it's completely overwhelming but fantastic. It's a totally new world for me I love being a mummy my dd makes me laugh and smile so much- it's the hardest but most rewarding experience and I love it :)