'mum guilt' growing pains

[Snowmonkeycoat]

Looking through old photos and videos from when the children were younger 3DS's. I find myself sat here wishing for a do-over, I don't want any more children, I just miss my children terribly at each stage, they are teens now and I love this age too but I miss the baby, the toddler, the 7 year old etc etc.

I'm so much calmer as I've gotten older and more sure of myself, I just really wish I enjoyed those small years more whilst I was in the thick of them instead of being stressed out, I wish I knew then what I know now. I wish they had gotten a better version of me. I wish I took time to sit back and enjoy the chaos. Time really does go by in a flash.

I'm feeling sad, thought having a sound-off here might help.

Yeah I know how you feel op, I miss those days too. Love watching videos of DC when younger. I wonder if I could have done things better but then I look at them and they’re actually doing ok. However I managed things, I was doing my best with what I had-and I’m ok with that.
Roll on grandparenthood…. Where I’ll get the chance (hopefully) to feel the weight of a sleeping new born again and breathe them in (but also return home for some sleep!)

I feel the same I've studied an OU degree between DDs ages 6 - 12, it's meant I can provide for her better financially and for her activities but I feel that I have missed out on a lot studying and working at the same time. Realistically I would have been on close to minimum wage had I not studied and not been able to afford a car etc as that extra cash came through being promoted due to me studying but still...