Can't stand other people's children

[DLB22]

I am 11wks with my first. I have never been the maternal type but always wanted to have children. The thing is I really can't stand other people's children. I am awkward around them and don't know what to do or how to act. I have never had anyone really close to me with a young family so I don't have much experience. I know it will be different with my own and I feel like I love it already but still have nagging doubts that I will be an awful and loveless mother.

I don't like anybody!! 😾

I felt the same before I had children. I just wasn't sure how to interact with them. You'll be fine. I actually like other people's children too since having my own. I might be alone on that one. I read above in this thread someone said their children wont be naughty, (can't copy and highlight it) all I can say to that is 😂😂you're in for a treat.

Bwah ha ha ha at 'practice'! It's all practice, no need to start early. Don;t worry, you'll like your own, probably quite soon after birth if not before.

Oh tell me about it and it gets worse when you have your child, more people then think you want to cuddle their babies and children. I love my own daughter to bits but it still doesn't mean I do the whole kids and babies thing!

I am 39 weeks and no doubts we will love our own. However we met up with some friends all with children for food and it was a bit mad. No naughty behaviour, kids being kids but they would not keep still and their parents meals were constantly interrupted, and had to be shared out while the kids own meals went relatively untouched. It was a glimpse into the future!

I went for a swim over the weekend, I usually stick to evenings - big mistake; it was like exercise time at the zoo!

Relatives children are at the nosy stage; I try to escape to the kitchen and I get followed "what are you doing" or just stared at, arrrgh!!

I read the soft play thread, it just filled me with utter dread. Everyone else's running around shrieking their heads off, all manner of mystery fluids in the ballpit, boisterous behaviour....shudder.

Not mine of course, she'll be amazing

You'll be fine with your own! I was still a teenager when my nieces were born and am still not remotely maternal 10 years on, but I love my own baby to pieces. I feel like an utter plonker going to stuff like baby sensory and singing ridiculous songs and signing out the words but that doesn't make me a bad mum, I'm just not a natural like some others. Really, you'll be fine!

It's not "maternal instincts" to like other people's children. You will have maternal instincts towards your own children, definitely.

@Bellamuerte loool there will be plenty of naughty behaviour part of the package with kids I'm afraid!

I am awkward around them and don't know what to do or how to act.

This will change. By the time your DC is 10, you will know how to act and what to do with small children up to the age of 10.

You still might not like other people's sprogs, or want to be around them, but you will know how to act and what to do. You will have learnt it as you go along with your own DC.

@bellamuerte mwhahaha! Little do you know!!

You'll love your baby though. There's nothing on this earth as wonderful as your own children. Other people's on the other hand....................................

Mine are older now, so I've come across lots over the year, some are ok and some really aren't. You'll get used to putting up with them all though.

This could have been me that started this thread! Currently 18 weeks and this baby is very much wanted but have the same concerns as you. Everyone says everything will fall into place once baby’s here!

Have a five year old & one on the way. I detest other people's kids. I try to avoid going anywhere insanely busy during school holidays (hard now mine is at school) because i get murderous thoughts 😂