Big one is 6 and I've only recently realized "omfg one day he's not going to want my snuggles and I won't be able to stare at home while he's laughing and being crazy with his friends!"

I've had a tough couple of years so I've been rushing time to get through my own stuff and have been too stressed to stop and enjoy the moments.

I'm always in a rush to get to the next phase, and then I miss the last one.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I have the same hole. It's become a fairly silent companion that pops up mostly at partings. This article normalized it for me http://grownandflown.com/knowing-sons-little-less/. It's well meant but ignore the pat words that you need to move on as if you are not dealing well. Of course we move on but it doesn't mean we can just wipe out our feelings or that we're broken because we mourn the old and celebrate new all at the same time.

Great article. Thank you.

OP, I have the same hole. It's become a fairly silent companion that pops up mostly at partings. This article normalized it for me http://grownandflown.com/knowing-sons-little-less/. It's well meant but ignore the pat words that you need to move on as if you are not dealing well. Of course we move on but it doesn't mean we can just wipe out our feelings or that we're broken because we mourn the old and celebrate new all at the same time.

Mindfulness OP. Stop being in the past or the future, just be in the present. Accept what is, there are lots of wonderful times ahead!

Same here, OP. I totally get what you're saying.

Thank you for this post. My kids are 2.75 and 9 months and I'm already feeling the time slipping away. I simultaneously wish my older child would stop having so many tantrums and don't want her to stop being a cute little nugget. I wish my baby would sleep and nurse better and I can't wait until he starts talking so I can get to know him, but I also want him to go back to sleeping on my chest. I'm so exhausted that I'm always trying to get through it, but I hate myself for wishing the time away. I have been making a conscious effort to be more present and your post is a good reminder that it will be over before I know it.

I can remember older people saying things like enjoy them while they are young -- so true!

I never wanted my children to grow older, because I knew what would happen. Yet, they grow older every day.

Hugs, OP. Cherish that time, cherish your grown up daughter. She still has a lot to learn!

Both of mine are in college, I just recently started feeling nostalgic and wishing they were little again.

I think I feel this way nostalgically, but each year she gets older, she's more fun, and I think,"This is the perfect age!"

Of course, I'd love to hold her one more time as a newborn, or watch her toddling across the living room, or her first day of preschool, etc. She's now 6 and so much fun! She's my little buddy. I can't wait to see what next year brings!

Me too.

Every day I tell my dd to not get any bigger. Best times were when she was a tiny infant in our arms.

Me too!

The days are long but the years are short, aren't they?

I am not sure where this belongs, and it is more of a vent / confession that anything. Though I do welcome any advice.

I have one child, a DD. She is a junior in college. On trying days when she was young I remember wishing the time away, thinking how great it will be when she was older. She's always been a pretty good kid, though high energy. My DH traveled a lot, and our families never helped out. I did hire babysitters when I really needed a break.

Well now I find myself craving her childhood - from newborn all the way to HS. I miss having her at home and I miss seeing her every day. I feel like there is a large hole in my heart. Some days I am ok; other days I cannot get out of the nostalgia mode. I miss so many things / times about her growing up, even the challenging periods.

I don't know if I'd feel differently if I had more than one child or if she had been difficult. I just really miss her.

Has anyone who has been there & done that have any wisdom? She is doing well in college and seems pretty happy.