What are some things you wish you did differently when your children were younger? Specifically the time you spent with them and the things you wish you’d done differently?
My DS is almost 5 and we are absolutely loving this age. He is chatty, a bit sassy on times and has a really strong mind of his own. He makes us laugh every day and we are so proud of him. I changed my working pattern when he was born so I could drop and pick him up from school every day, we have weekends together where we play board games, imaginary games, take the dog for a walk, go to the park on the bus. I absolutely love it. BUT at the same time - I’m finding this stage just as tiring as I did the baby days, but in a completely different way. I can remember being sleep deprived to the point of tears when he was a baby and would wake every hour of the night. I can remember thinking “in a couple of years and this will be easier”. And the sleeping is much easier it’s true, but now I find the incredibly high energy, constant questions, big feelings very tiring. By the end of the day I feel drained. I adore being a Mum and was just looking at videos and photos of him as a baby and toddler and thinking “wow the time has gone so fast, I’d love to be able to hold him at that age again” and then had the realisation that in another couple of years I’ll be saying that about how he is now.
Mum’s who’ve been through this and now have teenagers/older children - what can I do to be more present and just enjoy each stage? What would you go back and change?
Thank you in advance for your wisdom.