"Is it really HARD being a grown-up Mum....?"

[Lizzer]

Is the question dd (7) often asks me when she sees I'm having a fight with the laundry or struggling with chores..

As its usually 'of-the-moment' I reply something like, "Yes its tough as you have to do lots of work"

Now I'm questioning myself, I don't want to put a negative slant on the whole growing up thing, potentially leading dd into a mind-set of "its crap when you grow up-I know, I'll take drugs instead!" or "What IS the point of this futile life?"

I think I should endeavour to try and push the positive aspects of being adult......Erm...any suggestions?! And, what would you do/what you say?

I am a firm believer in telling the truth to kids, even if it's an edited version.
So how about 'yes it is hard but it's lovely too'

How about "some bits suck, some bits are a blast - is it hard being a kid?" Would be interesting what she'd come out with ...

It's extremely hard, that's why you have to be a child first, so you can learn how to be one

Gosh, my two don't even bother asking . They can see the tattered, bug-eyed results for themselves!
But actually there is a lot to be said for being an adult. We are hugely lucky to have the same interesting, comprehensible job (librarian and most children know what that is), so we are able to show that although work is just that, it can also be lots of fun and rewarding. Emphasise the things that you love in life lizzer - friends, the great happiness in your life at the moment , I bet you have lots to share! I wibble on to ds about going to concerts, planning your own hols, the fun of doing stuff with your own kids, sharing your books and toys from when you were a child, the worthwhile challenge of keeping family life on track.

I get this from both 7 and 9-year-old. Things like "do you like being a mummy?" (when I'm incandescent with rage or exhausted beyond belief). Or "I don't want to grow up, I like being a child" type comments.

Agree with others that the best response is "I love it, how could I not with such lovely children? It is hard work sometimes but it's worth it".

That usually satisifies them. Neither has yet said they don't want kids, anyway!

Being an adult beats being a child any day.

Thanks folks, I'm glad I'm not alone, beginning to think I'd done something wrong although unlike you,Castille, dd has decided already not to have children (though aparently this is to do with the giving birth bit not the looking after of them - told her she could adopt )

Yeah rubberduck, that's a good question to ask back! I'll remember that...

Nicely put Camella and Bluejelly! Another one to memorise and practise through gritted teeth

Yes indeed Marina, I'm loving your rose-tinted at-work glasses And can you tell I'm stuck at home, on unpaid time off from workfor a week with dd as she has hand, foot and mouth disease (Sounds worse than it is and luckily we don't have to cull her!)

But seriously yes I will make an effort to mention something fun after the "Yes Mum's so tired and needs to sit down" comment.

Scattyspice, i disagree with that but can't tell dd that!