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What's the biggest "I can't believe they can do that now!" moment you've had? Win a £200 Smyths voucher

71 replies

geemumsnet · 21/09/2026 09:39

From babies taking their very first steps to toddlers suddenly chatting away or becoming wonderfully independent, every child has those moments that catch you by surprise.

One day they're relying on you for everything, and the next they're showing you just how much they've grown.

Whether it was hearing their first words, watching them master a new skill or seeing their confidence shine through, it's often these everyday milestones that become the memories we treasure most.

That's why today we're celebrating those unforgettable “wow” moments you’ve had with your children and would love to hear yours.

Tell us below:

  • What happened?
  • Why did that moment stick with you?
  • Has there been another milestone that's been just as memorable?

Join the conversation below for your chance to win a £200 Smyths toys voucher. T&Cs apply.

OP posts:
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 21/09/2026 18:37

Driving! although he is 18!

Chaosatcollege · 22/09/2026 05:23

My DS made his first joke age 20 months. It was Saturday, which he knew because we talked about it (he was early to learn days of the week) and DH was around, which he wasn't on weekdays. DS looked at us in the eys and said, "Today...Tuesday!" and started giggling. So cute!

Kweenxo · 22/09/2026 22:39

DD used to point at things from a very young age and we'd always tell her what that item was. Then again from a very young age, she'd know the words to all of the items we used to point at. We'd point them out and she'd say it in her baby voice. She's actually grown up to be a very intelligent person for her age.

TheKestralNextDoor · 23/09/2026 11:23

Letting go of the sofa and walking three steps towards me with full eye contact and a smile !

ItsAQuandryAlright · 23/09/2026 11:30

My 3 year old granddaughter telling me I should be keeping both hands on the steering wheel while I was driving, because that's how you drive properly. Then telling me I should stop at a pedestrian crossing (when I had already stopped). I told her she was a backseat driver, and explained that was a passenger in a car who isn't driving, but likes to tell the driver what to do. She now proudly tells people that she's a backseat driver.

ruqiya1965 · 23/09/2026 21:06

When my youngest first started speaking. He had delayed speech and would go to speech and language therapy. Now he's a very articular young man and turned out very intelligent.

SnowSnow · 23/09/2026 21:09

My little boy is nearly 3 and has suspected additional needs. The other day he let me put his raincoat on and didn’t fall to the floor in distress. I was amazed! He did only wear it for a couple of minutes before it was too much for him but it was a real wow moment to even get him to wear it at all

LadyFuchsiaGroan · 23/09/2026 21:32

When my youngest didnt want to read a story together but chose to read alone. Proud that he enjoys reading but felt a little left out and redundant that I wasnt invited.

saffysabir · 23/09/2026 22:49

When DD first started crawling. It was at the moment that I realised, she's growing up and then before you know it, she started walking and it was that same feeling all over again. It's strange, because motherhood isn't all sunshine and roses, but if I had to do all those sleepless nights again, I would.

Freshair87 · 23/09/2026 22:56

When I realised they are much better at using technology than me, at their age I struggled with Microsoft paint

StockingsByTheFire · 23/09/2026 23:16

My youngest saying her first, very unusual word, whilst being held by my eldest. She was laying over his lap and he kept scooping her up in the air, so her arms and legs hung down like a raggy doll. "Dangle!!" he shouted every time he swept her up, and she responded in fits of giggles. Then a tiny voice from nowhere suddenly squeaked, "Dangle!!". It was such a beautiful moment.

That was just before her first birthday, then on her actual first birthday, we set off some fireworks for her and her twin brother, and I managed to capture his equally unusual first word on camera, "Ka-boom!"

TheOnceAndFutureQueen · 23/09/2026 23:32

When DD was 10, over dinner one day DH and I mentioned something we'd seen on the news and she asked if we'd seen the story about Trump (can't remember which one exactly!) but she then launched into what she'd seen on newsround and in The Week Jr about Trump and Iran and was telling us her friends opinions of what was happening and where she disagreed. It was the first time I'd heard her share opinions on things that didn't originally come from us and things that she had overheard at home.

Crispautumnday · 23/09/2026 23:37

When oldest DS was tiny and non verbal and we were at the supermarket discussing whether we needed to pick up some milk and he did the sign for milk for the first time . The delight and shock on his face too that we noticed.
And now, a just mere weeks later (or so it feels!) and he's just organised himself to apply for 6th form without any prompting Shock

chickenpotnoodle · 24/09/2026 18:29

When mine answered the landline at 18 months (it was grandma) and was concentrating on what was being said with the 'mmm' and 'yes' at intervals (just like me) looked soo grown up

HobnobsChoice · 24/09/2026 18:34

My eldest didn't walk until 18 months and had been a bum shuffler. She hadn't even really done furniture walking. On a Tuesday evening I was in the living room with her, her Dad and her paternal grandma and my mother is law had put some "music from the movies" playlist on. The Austin Powers theme came on and *that" was the moment our daughter walked across the room without a single wobble and then sat/fell down next to the fireplace. She was just waiting for the maximum amount of comedy clearly.
She runs cross country now and still likes to find humour in every moment

salemaxo · 24/09/2026 21:04

I can't actually remember the exact words that were said, but I remember when DD2 first spoke like an adult, like she had so much sassiness. It was so hilarious and she continues doing it haha. Her older sister wasn't like her, so it was something new. She's such a caring person and honestly so sweet.

Thetruthfairy · 24/09/2026 21:53

Refusing clothes I would carefully select from very young. She would point back at her wardrobe stubbornly until another selection was presented.
This progressed to choosing her own clothes (usually tutu and character shirt combo) which then progressed to being very invested in what everyone around her was wearing.She is still obsessed with fashion at 7 and costs me a small fortune

Runningshorts · 24/09/2026 22:03

A memorable one was the first time my older child made her younger sibling laugh. So precious!

I remember another time both toddling round the garden, running into sheets hanging on the washing line and laughing their heads off. I've got a video of that.

Friolero · 24/09/2026 22:16

My DS is disabled and didn’t meet any early milestones. He couldn’t sit independently, roll, hold himself upright, crawl or walk. Gradually, with a lot of physiotherapy and a lot of determination on his part, he began to slowly do these things. First sitting and rolling, and then when most kids his age were running around, he learnt to hold himself up by holding onto things and bum shuffle across the floor. He had a walking frame and developed his strength but struggled with balance, and we weren’t sure if he would ever be able to walk independently.

And then one day, totally out of the blue, he took his first few independent steps across our living room. I will never forget that moment, I can still see him laughing now as he tottered towards me. He was so pleased with himself, and it was such a proud moment.

sharond101 · 25/09/2026 17:54

My 14 year old saying to me more times than I can remember, wait Mum I'll do that, that's not how to do it.

strugglinguphill · 25/09/2026 19:57

My 4 year old having a tantrum and telling me they hated me and the house and was leaving!

KrillBrill · 25/09/2026 21:05

Doing a zip and buttons, I was so surprised because the little fingers just seemed far too small for it!

alshareif · 25/09/2026 23:30

First time DS got off the bed. I thought I was just imagining things and that I left him on the floor, but another time I actually caught it on camera. He's 6 months old and he was on his front and just keept scooting backwards on his tummy until his legs were dangling off the bed and then scooted some more until he was on his tippy toes then he just went backwards and sat down haha. From that point on, I knew he was going to be trouble lol.

DuckCootLoon · 26/09/2026 14:41

Reading. Years of laboriously plodding through "s-i-t , sit, p-a-t, pat", and suddenly he read a road sign.

thatwasclose · 26/09/2026 15:30

My son was 7 and we were at his aunts house. All his cousins are significantly older but we were all playing Cranium.

He drew a DNA helix. It was instantly recognisable.

He was 7 and 2 years earlier had been diagnosed with ADHD and Tourette’s and struggled immensely. I was so proud, everyone else was speechless.
He’s 30 now and I still recall it with pride.