Anyone in a rush for kids to grow up?

[Anonymous]

No. I want to “freeze” her at age 6!

[Anonymous]

I mean I want the days to go fast but the years to slow down. So no . . . .

[Anonymous]

I am like the PP who only has 8 more years. I have 9. My kid is average in terms of being difficult but I just want to live alone.

[Anonymous]

I prefer my children once they are school age. Although they were cute toddlers, getting to the school years where they can do things like pour their own drink, manage to put on and zip/button/snap all their own clothing, grab themselves a yogurt and some fruit, pack their own lunches...it’s just nice not having to be totally responsible for every single aspect of every single task. I feel so much less stressed to have those types of things off my plate and I find myself in a much better mood when I’m getting them out the door in the morning rather than having to think: did I replace the extra daycare clothes, bring a blanket for the week, label and fill enough bottles, get all the pump supplies, etc.

[Anonymous]

I think it's 100% possible to celebrate milestones and independence, and still cherish the moment you're in.

[Anonymous]

I think some people are just excited about all the milestones.

I feel my kids are growing up too fast. Of course I’m happy they are learning & growing, but I miss my babies.
Youngest is starting K next week, and it’s depressing to think my oldest (10) is more than halfway through his childhood. But, I am just trying to enjoy them while I can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old and am really enjoying both stages. My 5 year old is starting kindergarten and I am mourning the probably loss of innocence. He's so sweet but I can see the fart/butt jokes coming ...

However, I went to a family event last week and took just the 5 year old because the 2 year old was sick, and it was so easy. So, so easy. He listened, he was charming, he wandered around with his 4 year old cousin mostly independently except for occasional check-ins. We both had a fantastic time (except for the part where he locked himself in the bathroom and had to be talked through opening the lock). It was my first glimpse of how amazing life will be when the younger one is his age, in terms of the independence and not having to be on top of them all the time. Still, I'm not in a huge rush. But I'd be lying if I didn't admit to fantasizing about it sometimes.

I'm amazed (and jealous) you haven't had to deal with those yet! My 5 year old has been making them for like a year and a half now thanks to being around kids with older brothers. I'm pretty used to it and know it will probably go on for quite a few more years...

Mine are 2 and 5 as well. I think I rushed things a bit for my oldest because it was such a huge shock to go from being childless to being a parent and there was a lot I didn't enjoy the first few years. I am definitely babying the 2 year old a bit more because now I understand how fast the early years go by. It is amazing to go places with just the 5 year old... so much easier! I'm trying to enjoy the present but also looking forward to the day I can read books at the pool and beach again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old and am really enjoying both stages. My 5 year old is starting kindergarten and I am mourning the probably loss of innocence. He's so sweet but I can see the fart/butt jokes coming ...

However, I went to a family event last week and took just the 5 year old because the 2 year old was sick, and it was so easy. So, so easy. He listened, he was charming, he wandered around with his 4 year old cousin mostly independently except for occasional check-ins. We both had a fantastic time (except for the part where he locked himself in the bathroom and had to be talked through opening the lock). It was my first glimpse of how amazing life will be when the younger one is his age, in terms of the independence and not having to be on top of them all the time. Still, I'm not in a huge rush. But I'd be lying if I didn't admit to fantasizing about it sometimes.

I'm amazed (and jealous) you haven't had to deal with those yet! My 5 year old has been making them for like a year and a half now thanks to being around kids with older brothers. I'm pretty used to it and know it will probably go on for quite a few more years...

Mine are 2 and 5 as well. I think I rushed things a bit for my oldest because it was such a huge shock to go from being childless to being a parent and there was a lot I didn't enjoy the first few years. I am definitely babying the 2 year old a bit more because now I understand how fast the early years go by. It is amazing to go places with just the 5 year old... so much easier! I'm trying to enjoy the present but also looking forward to the day I can read books at the pool and beach again.

Agreed. Your 5 year old has not already been making fart/butt jokes? Every other word out of my 3.5 year old DD is poop, butt, fart, etc.

[Anonymous]

I'm really not a baby/young child person. DD's babyhood was miserable for me, and toddlerhood wasn't a whole lot better. But, she's growing up to be a lovely (and challenging) young lady, and I really am enjoying the time I have with her, now. I wish time would slow down now, as much as I wished it would speed up, back when she was little.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just feel very overwhelmed and tired most of the time. I have a 3 yo and a 9 month old. Life feels hard. I’m worn out. I love them, they are impossibly cute, but also impossibly hard.

I enjoy the 3 yo one on one and that gives me hope. I expect life to get easier when they are 2.5 and 5, so yeah I’m ready to move this stage along.

Hiiii It's me, your future self. I have an almost-3 year old and a 5 year old at home. And you are right, it's SO MUCH EASIER. They play together! They entertain each other! They fight, yes, that's for sure. But overall having at least one child who is trustworthy about most things is so huge. We still have crying, but it's not everyone crying every day, which I felt much of the first 18 months of #2's life was like. Hang in there! We are in a great stage right now and I've felt that way since we hit about 2 and 4.5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old and am really enjoying both stages. My 5 year old is starting kindergarten and I am mourning the probably loss of innocence. He's so sweet but I can see the fart/butt jokes coming ...

However, I went to a family event last week and took just the 5 year old because the 2 year old was sick, and it was so easy. So, so easy. He listened, he was charming, he wandered around with his 4 year old cousin mostly independently except for occasional check-ins. We both had a fantastic time (except for the part where he locked himself in the bathroom and had to be talked through opening the lock). It was my first glimpse of how amazing life will be when the younger one is his age, in terms of the independence and not having to be on top of them all the time. Still, I'm not in a huge rush. But I'd be lying if I didn't admit to fantasizing about it sometimes.

I'm amazed (and jealous) you haven't had to deal with those yet! My 5 year old has been making them for like a year and a half now thanks to being around kids with older brothers. I'm pretty used to it and know it will probably go on for quite a few more years...

Mine are 2 and 5 as well. I think I rushed things a bit for my oldest because it was such a huge shock to go from being childless to being a parent and there was a lot I didn't enjoy the first few years. I am definitely babying the 2 year old a bit more because now I understand how fast the early years go by. It is amazing to go places with just the 5 year old... so much easier! I'm trying to enjoy the present but also looking forward to the day I can read books at the pool and beach again.

NP. My 2 and 5 year old spend most of dinner seeing how many combinations of poop, poopy, toilet, head, eyeball, and butt they can make. It's...a lot. Occasionally my "no toilet talk at the dinner table" rule gets obeyed. Often there is just a lot of POOPY! and hilarious giggles.

I can't believe you have a 5 year old who never does this. I give you about 4 days into school until he picks it up. It only takes ONE KID! Ha.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sister has been in a rush for her kids to grow up for years. As such, she project this on me. On their first birthday: “you don’t have a baby anymore!” When a mutual friend posts about their feelings surrounding their child starting kindergarten, my sister comments “FREEDOM!”
Various other things too, like turning her kids forward facing at 1, dropping the convertible seat at 3: “look who’s a big girl!”...at 28 pounds.

I don’t think I’m particularly babying to my boys, but my comparison I am.

I’m just not sure how to react to the comments and actions.

I guess I don't understand your dilemma. You don't have to comment on your sister's comments to mutual friends. You don't need to say anything about her car seat choices.

Her sister’s car seat choices are unsafe and illegal in multiple states. That’s worth speaking up about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m single with a 7 and 9 year old. I don’t want to rush their childhoods, but it will he really wonderful when I can leave them home by themselves. Even if only to go get milk for my coffee when we are out....

You CAN walk away from your 7 and 9 year old to get milk for your coffee.

Not at the store on the corner. That would violate Maryland law (for another year). NP but I think that’s what she meant.

[Anonymous]

I look forward to certain aspects of when my kids (who are 3y, and 4m) are older but I wouldnt do things to accelerate their age superficially (i.e put them in different, unsafe, carseats just because, or dress them in what I'd consider to be age inappropriate clothing, etc). I get tue desire to want an 8 and 10 year old or 18 and 20 year old instead of a baby and toddler but I dont want to parent as if my toddler isnt a toddler.

[Anonymous]

For me, yes definitely with my son. He is nearly 10, and very difficult. I’m eager for him to grow up and move out.