Anything good to say about kids?!

[KO2018]

Hi everyone, I’m a visitor from the pregnancy board - I’m expecting my first child and just going into my second trimester.

Tentatively been looking up advice on becoming a parent, but everything I find on the Internet seems to be a list of miseries and complaints about what horrible little brats they are.

Like do I really need to read another article about kids pooing everywhere? Or breaking possessions? Or having tantrums in the supermarket? I get it - kids break stuff and make a mess!!!

I was really hoping to find a few happy stories. I refuse to believe it’s all as horrible as people say!

So... anyone got any nice, positive things they’d like to share about kids and parenthood? Maybe something to make me actually look forward to it..?

Our dc have been brilliant all the way. More fun to go on holiday with than friends pre kids.

I echo @Dinosauraddict - my daughter is the absolute light of my life. Being her mother is an incredible joy.

The first 4 years were very hard, stressful and at times almost ended my marriage. However, in amongst the chaos there were still some phenomenally happy times.

Pretty much everything past the age of 5 has been wonderful. But I think the key to this happiness (for me) is just having one child. I don't feel run ragged and I still have time for just me, which is what I personally need to be truly content.

@linerforlife

I echo *@Dinosauraddict* - my daughter is the absolute light of my life. Being her mother is an incredible joy.

I'll echo that too.

Don't forget, OP, that what brings many to a parenting board etc is when they have a problem - what you read isn't a true reflection of reality.

Our children were the best thing that has ever happened to us. They were always loving and fun (well nearly always) and gave huge a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
They are our pride still and have become incredible young adults.

Mine are a pain in the backside a lot of the time and each phase has been trying in it’s own way. However, I love the little critters to death and even find myself missing them when they’re at school / I’m at work. I feel so proud of them.

Other negative stuff just doesnt bother me as much now Ive got dc. I cried after a bad exam and ds was 18 mo climbed up on me and gave me a cuddle, wiped my face with a tissue and ran off to put it in the bin. Early morning cuddles in bed. Playing with trains and lego is quite fun. Seeing them learn to do stuff is great. Plus they are really cute to watch.

There is a lot of negativity on here, particularly when talking about teenagers. I suppose it depends on your parenting. I have never been hostile towards mine as so many people are on Mumsnet so I have never been met with any of the reactions from my teens either. I like them

It's a shame that you never really read anything positive, so many people just post the bad stuff, also, when you do post anything good about your children/teens/adultDC/partner that is also met negatively on Mumsnet.

Every time I think "wow this age is my favourite yet" and then another year passes and I think "no THIS age is my favourite!". (Not every day, obviously - we're not the Waltons!) Currently 9 and becoming more independent, thoughtful, deepening their interests and chats. Fortunately still also a properly silly sense of humour

@MutteringDarkly

Every time I think "wow this age is my favourite yet" and then another year passes and I think "no THIS age is my favourite!". (Not every day, obviously - we're not the Waltons!) Currently 9 and becoming more independent, thoughtful, deepening their interests and chats. Fortunately still also a properly silly sense of humour

Same!! My MIL and SIL keep saying things like 'oh I wish they were little again' and 'please stop growing' with lots of sad faces. No!!! They are so interesting at every stage. Each one brings new experiences. I always enjoy the stage that we are in, and then she gets into a new stage, and we enjoy that even more. I never look back and wish I was there, because she is so interesting now.

Last night my 6 year old DD was dancing round in her pants singing "I love you Mummy" loudly into a plastic stick (microphone) . It was so lovely and hilarious. There are hard parts but loads and loads of lovely ones!

My children don't poo everywhere, have tantrums or break everything! Most of what you read is for comedic effect and in reality they are the most amazing things!! To look at a child and realise that you have created them and have a chance to raise a loving, friendly happy person is the best feeling.
They will exasperate you, fire you out and drive you crazy, but most of the time they will make you proud, make you laugh and give you the best hugs.

@emptyshelvesagain oh if only there was a symbol for the parenting award you so richly deserve.
Have a instead

[quote Hangingbasketofdoom]@emptyshelvesagain oh if only there was a symbol for the parenting award you so richly deserve.
Have a instead[/quote]

You have become the very example of my post. Thank you.

Mine walk the dog from time to time

I think it's easier to describe the lows than the highs and that's why what you read can be unbalanced.
I feel like I found my purpose - cheesy and to be honest I would have cracked up at anyone saying this before I had my first. They give me a new perspective on life, work, relationships. As a pp said, seeing a toddler dance and just let go is incredibly uplifting. The hugs, the kisses, the funny comments and watching them grow up is an incredible privilege.
They are hard work but by and large the pay back is ten-fold. Make friends with like-minded mums and the hard days can be dealt with more easily than if you bottle it up - good support is absolutely key to learning what to do and your sanity.
Congratulations on your pregnancy and enjoy every minute of it.

And just wait until you're told that you're the best mummy in the world ever! Nothing better than that. 💕

Following for interest! Also about to enter into second trimester with my first and fed up of seeing posts and memes of "have a child they said, it'll be fun they said" with pictures of poonamis, kids drawing on every white/cream surface, having tantrums etc.

Ds is 16 now - it seems like yesterday he was in his pram and a magnet for elderly ladies (after ‘his wee curls’).

He has mostly had me in stitches since he first clocked that the ‘peas’ on his dinner plate sounded like... well ‘pee’. His humour has matured a little...

I couldn't imagine life without my dc. Dc1 did turn my life upside down and then some and yes it took a long time to adjust but bloody hell I love the bones of him. Then dc2 came along and if my heart expands with love anymore it will explode. They both make my life better in so many ways and give it a new meaning. OP the giggles and fun they bring more than makes up for the tough times. Its amazing watching the little people you have helped make grow up and turn into individuals; an absolute honour.

I am birth mum to two now aged 28 and 30. Having kids shaped my life, I had a crap childhood myself and having two children made me the person I am today, I loved being a mum to them even as teens they were good kids. I am now a foster mum, I have a 5 month old and a 10 month old living with me at the moment and yes, there are days where it's hard and I am knackered (I am 57 so not as young as I was when I was a mum) but I am convinced the babies and children I foster give me more than I ever give to them.

Yesterday I said to my husband I'm so sad that she (baby) woke up (as I was about to get in the bath). My 2 year old came up to me, put his hands on my cheeks to lift my head, looked me in the eyes and said its OK mummy don't cry, I help you. Moments like this make everything worth it ❤️

People moan because parenting is hard. The baby and toddler years are relentless and exhausting. Also say anything positive about your kids and you risk getting accused of ‘bragging’ 🙄

My DS is nearly 3 and I’m utterly exhausted every day. He was a hellish newborn and the most stubborn toddler ever.....

He’s also my absolute world. In between all the hard stuff you get the cuddles, the smiles, the sweet unexpected actions. Now he’s talking, he’s absolutely hilarious and too bloody smart for his own good. He’s fun and has introduced me back into a world of fun I’d half forgotten. I can’t wait for Christmas with him this year.

I had a miserable HG pregnancy and a crappy labour with DS and swore to never do it again. Yet I’m going through HG again and No II is due in November so for all my whinging, this parenting malarkey must have something going for it!

And OMG yes, the toddler dancing is hilarious. My DS dances like Chandler Bing x dad dancing at a wedding!

I love having children and I love being a parent. People moan online because I think there’s a lot of pressure in real life to act like everything is amazing all the time and certainly around me people don’t talk about how hard it can be.
I have three and everyday I can’t believe my luck. The newborn part was one of the easiest stage for me particularly with the first baby as no other kids to look after!!
Me and my dh went out for meals , watched loads of Netflix etc.
I did find the sleep deprivation extremely hard and no it wasn’t as fixable as my pre child ideas .... We are talking years of interrupted sleep.....
My children are getting a bit older now and it’s so lovely to see them grow and chat with them and watch them play together. Seeing them have a bond with each other has been such a great thing to see.
They have so much enthusiasm for life and that is so refreshing. I’m also way more motivated to achieve things now I have them and I’m fitter than I ever was pre-kids (they never stop moving ..).
Also yes people will say it’s only once a year etc etc but I’ve always loved Christmas and with kids it’s absolutely magical , seeing how happy and excited they are, having our own traditions. It’s really something I’ll remember forever.
It is really , really , really exhausting though especially if you end up having a few so do get lots of sleep in now. Even if it annoys you to hear , it really helps and having lovely, uninterrupted sleep is bliss...
Best of luck !