Parents who are past the toddler stage......

[AAAY]

This may have been done before but I could really do with some encouragement whilst I'm in the thick of raising my two toddlers.

I know one day I'llook back and miss these years massively but easy to lose sight of things when all day it seems like I've just been passed from child to child breaking up fights, cleaning up messes etc etc.

My two dds are 4 and 2 and definitely mummy's little girls! Always clambering over me callingg out mummyyyyy 50 million times a day and I'm exhausted I've just finished bed time routine and I feel like I could sleep for a week.

So mum's of older kids please remind me of what you miss about this age and that there will be a day that I'm not so stretched and exhausted? (hopefully!)

@Twizbe

My two are the same age as yours. If it's not frozen, it's cocomelon or Bluey at the moment.

I know I'll miss this age soon enough, but there are times I could wish them older.

I keep thinking that 6 and 4 will be a golden time

Mine are 3 and nearly 1 and I'm LIVING for 6 and 4.

In fairness, there are suddenly glimpses of a functional human in the three year old, and the baby hasn't learned tantrums yet so I'm trying to enjoy things at the minute.

What I'm enjoying: three year old figuring things out in the world, the way the baby looks at me and snuggles in, the three year old singing oh so badly she's surely mine, the baby laughing herself silly at everything.

And the quiet house when they've both gone to nursery on a Monday morning.

The cuddles/, they are still very cuddly but the porgy toddler cuddles are just ❤️ The dead weight of carrying them whilst asleep. The blind trust. The knowing that nothing outside of your control will hurt them, other children are mean (disclaimer I’m sure mine are too I’m just not aware of it!), just that milky drunk sleep. Ugh they’re lush now (6 & 4) but yeah I’m not so far out that I miss the constant wake ups etc but I do miss a lot of stuff

Oh and 6 & 4 is not magical!! They want to do everything and have an opinion on everything but they’re pretty sodding amazing tbf

Oh and porgy = podgy, the toddler rolls around ankles/wrists etc

Toddler years were tough, I like teenagers a lot better (although they are really just toddlers with own incomes and hair in funny places).

After you got thru toddler years, teenagers aren't so bad.

Currently dealing with teens
Least mine went to bed at 7 when they were small.

I have a 2.5 and 3.5 year old. It's already easier than when they were 1 and 2. I'm thoroughly enjoying my time with them now that I'm sleeping properly, and they go to preschool so I'm getting some time to myself in the days to decompress.

I'll miss these days so so so much when they're older 😢

I was just saying goodnight to my 12 year old DD - she was pottering around her room, organising her things, chatting to me, and I just had this very vivid flashback to her when she was 2 or 3 - how she would potter then too chatting to me.

It brought tears to my eyes to remember what an absolutely sweet delight of a little girl she was, such a precious child. I had to wipe them away quick before she turned around as she would have laughed (kindly) at me and said Oh Dear Mum ....

Delight as she was, I wouldn't go back to that time though! The exhausting, never ending toil, I remember as I got to the bedtime story with DD (her baby brother already having been fed to sleep) and thinking "just five pages to get through, then I can go and sit down" - I mean I was properly exhausted.

She was a very easy toddler - but even so she like all toddlers used to get overwhelmed and in a state about things a lot - exhausting to try and manage firmly but sensitively.

They are 12 and 10 now and it is like the golden time. We have had such a nice day - breakfast together then they disappear into their rooms (screens no doubt!). Then bit of time together at lunch in the garden - then DS went biking with DH and DD and I went to an outdoor swimming pool.

We all got back late but it doesn't matter at this age if they go to bed at 11pm.

@Seriouslymole

Um nope… mine are 10 and 12 and bright, fun, funny, engaged and engaging, can wipe their own arses, dress themselves, can stay at home for an hour if I need to go out, can get themselves to and from school if needs be.

My parents used to say “ooh make the most of this time, it doesn’t last forever” which is true of course but it absolutely felt like it was going on forever at the time. So no, I miss nothing about the toddler years at all! Parenting for me has got better and better - although we are rapidly heading to the teenage years so I may be yearning to go back to the toddler years very, very soon. Hang in there OP - it really doesn’t last forever.

Mine are 10 and 12 too - lovely age!

Long may it last but I fear can't be long!

I miss squigy cuddles. My eldest is 9 now and she's a tall skinny thing all arms and legs and cuddles just aren't the same. . . .I'm just glad I now have a 2 year old to give a good squish

@espresso14

4 and 7 here, with the 7 year old she is still very loving and I love that now we can have a nice day out, and she will not tantrum, is so appreciative of the treat and not fall asleep in the car at 4pm (and be up till God knows when), and she is so much less fussy with food. I don't mind her going to bed later each night, as we read lovely books and have such nice chats at bedtime.

By comparison, the 4 year old (also very loving), doesn't half moan, is rather self-entitled, and my goodness, the nightly exhaustion of "brushing your teeth" negotiation! But the small person cuddles are beautiful, and the feel of their little hand in yours...

Same age gap. Your reply was very accurate.

It is so lovely when the 4 year old flings her arms around my neck unprompted.

It is also so lovely to just have a civilised hot chocolate date with my 7 year old - no wipes just keys and my card wallet.

OP as you are seeking encouragement i will tell you that my 2 happily played with their LEGO for almost 2 hours today without me having to referee.

So my advice is: buy Lego.

The “mum, mum, mum, mummmy, MUMMY” - doesnt stop. Sorry.

Watching them sleeping. They are still cute sleeping but not as adorable as babies and toddlers.

Being able to fix all problems.

Oh god this post has me crying 😭 I don't want them to grow up (just sleep more and give me five minutes peace 🤣)

I have a 21 year old, 16 year old, 2 year old and a 1 year old, coco melon for me is a step up from little baby bum! The toddler years go so quick, I remember my 21 year old going mad over the tweenies and my 16 year old constantly asking for bob the builder! Then there was the power rangers phase.....!

Aw toddlers. Well, they are funny, chubby, cute & cuddly and smell of biscuits at that age. You are their whole world. They don't swear or call you "bruv" 🤣