What are the 5 BEST things about being a parent?

[MrsThierryHenry]

Okay, I'll start. Obviously.

1. It's amazing watching my DS develop and change
2. It's amazing watching him discover the world
3. When I'm feeling low he makes me laugh and cheers me up instantly
4. I'm constantly humbled by the fact that my body could produce such an incredible little person
5. You can be silly in public and no-one bats an eyelid

Ok. Here goes....

1. When they're asleep
2. When they're both at school
3. When they eat all their tea without moaning
4. When I take them to Clarks and their feet haven't grown!
5. Sorry....can't think of a fifth.....4 is enough for me!

1, how he never fails to make me smile even after a shit day

2, how i love the feel of his soft cheek pressed on mine

3, watching him learn new things every day

4, his kisses and his cuddles and how much i am in awe if him could watch him for hrs when asleep

5, how i feel so proud we have produced such an amazing polite caring lil boy

MALO, being a parent is a choice. You can either get on with it and enjoy all the great parts or you can grumble through it and cease to see anything wonderful in it.

You could start another thread for sure. There are hundreds on MN all the time about how hard it is to be a parent. This one is about how lovely it is.

1 - the best thing is just being a parent. There were times when I never thought it would happen
2 - watching him grow and change and knowing sadly that his birth mother can't see it. An incredible priviledge.
3 - making him laugh
4 - being the most important thing in the world to another living being
5 - that moment when he spontaneous reaches for my hand to cross the road, the second that his little hand fits into mine. It still thrills me everytime.

1. When they give me that sleepy beaming smile first thing in the morning
2. Hearing them laugh
3. Watching them play
4. When they run to me shouting mummy when i walk back in through the door, even though i've only been gone 5 minutes
5. When i watch them interact and help each other out, chatting earnestly to each other ...

Very proud

5 best

1. They stop you self-obsessing and make you less self-destructive 2)they force you to be braver, more confident etc
2. they make you want to be a better, more patient, understanding person
3. you feel so proud of every little thing they do
4. you've never loved anything or anyone the way you love your kids

5 worst

1. sleepless nights
2. hard work for your relationship
3. expensive !
4. you feel the 'real you' is vanishing sometimes and forget all the things you used to love before kids
5. worrying about them constantly, makes you sick with fear that anything bad will happen to them

o some more best - holding their little hands (I can't get enough of holding little hands)
and the smell of my youngest, I can't get enough of burying my nose in his skin and inhaling the smell of a baby, and feeing sad cos it doesn't last very long...
and their laughter, when they are really laughing, its infectious
and when they sit at the table and eat up a healthy meal you've prepared that you thought they wouldn't like without even stopping to speak....
ahhh I better go to bed I could go on too long

DS1
DD1
DD2
DT1
DT2

me neither MMJ - even when DS was ill recently and I was getting no sleep, my life was still better for having him in it.

feeling a love that can never be topped
being proud of them and in turn being proud at how excellent i have done
the conversations with them
seeing how thoughtful for eachother and us as parents they are - they really really are.
having discussions - and creating an atmosphere where they are comfortable enough to challene a decision i made
being able to say " you're right - i'm sorry and seeing them do the same.

overall i am so proud of the people, the adults that they are and almost are.

1. i feel truely blessed 2)they make me feel proud 3)i love the way they are so innocent 4)i never tired of their constant questions 5)i just love them so much & they love me too

1. Them flinging their arms around you when ou pick them up from school just because they 'missed you'
2. Their resilience and speed of development reminds me how amazing the human body is.
3. Watching them play with other children, laughing, chattering and running about totally care free
4. When they fall asleep at night and are so peaceful and content
5. Their compassion and enthusiasm for everything, not just new or trendy things, and always wanting to do their best.

Message withdrawn

ooooh slapped wrists to me then!

MMJ - did I say being a parent was 'dreadful' ??

Imaginaryfriend - I did list the five best things, thanks - see my post Sunday 10:40 - well four actually.

MALO I think you're in the mood to spoil an otherwise lovely thread. There are plenty of other places on MN to grumble about being a parent why choose this one?

Yer GEROFF- out you go... you're ruining it all! OUT OUT OUT!

[Angry mob of proud mums chucks MALO out on her bum]

1. hearing dd's laugh
2. being able to talk endlessly with dh about dd and how lovely she is and what she's done today
3. being tested in a number of areas way outside my comfort zone and having to be unselfish, more organised, model good behaviour etc
4. feeling that the world now makes sense
5. simply looking at her gorgeous eyes, peach skin dimpled cheeks and mischievous grin