I'm in a rush for my friends' kids to grow up.

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.

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.

Yeah I’m one of those moms like your sister. I enjoy my kids more and more as they get older (they’re 4 and 6). I love getting to engage with them as their minds and personalities develop. I found toddlerhood to be excruciating a lot of the time. Son had spd (mostly grew out of it) and I was constantly on high alert of one kid running off or hurting him/herself. Kids could not play for one second by themselves. It was exhausting. I think 6 is perfect age, so far. My 4 yo daughter is pretty awesome too.

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.

I didn’t used to be this way, but my 17 year old has just wore me out. One more year, one more year, one more year

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ this is why some people shouldn’t have kids. I’m sorry for your son.

I shouldn’t have had kids, you’re right. But, I also had no way of knowing that it would make me into a completely different person.

PP I’m sorry for your struggles. I have a difficult son who lives far away from me with his father. I imagine if he still lived with me I would be saying similar things

Anonymous wrote:^^ this is why some people shouldn’t have kids. I’m sorry for your son.

I shouldn’t have had kids, you’re right. But, I also had no way of knowing that it would make me into a completely different person.

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 wanted to be out of the infant stage as fast as possible with both kids. Once they hit 8 months or so is when I truly start to enjoy them... until then I find it's kind of a drag. The newborn stage in particular... couldn't WAIT for that to be done with. Horrible.

Now that I have a toddler and an older baby, I am loving both stages, even the "terrible twos".

Yes I am NOT a baby person. DD is 11 and I love that she’s growing up! She can be interesting now! It’s great!

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....

Who cares?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is 10 and I’m thrilled I only have 8 to go. Every bit of independence he gains I celebrate, and I can’t wait till he’s out of the house.

Wow why?

A few reasons. Becoming a mother is the biggest mistake I’ve ever made - it’s the most traumatic thing I’ve ever been through (and turned my previously confident fun loving self into an anxiety ridden, fearful, mess who struggles constantly with depression and PTSD from birth, PPD, and domestic abuse), my child’s father is the worlds biggest asshole and I get to block his number on my sons 18th birthday and never talk to him again, and because my kid has been incredibly difficult to raise.

I’m in therapy, but man I cannot wait to be able to pursue a real career that is meaningful to me and do things that are too expensive with a child tagalong - like traveling abroad. At least I’m over halfway.

Wow

Amazed. Dad here and I always worry I am not giving enough time and DS is growing up too fast! I even let go a 300k offer so that
I can spend time with DS and not regret he grows up too fast. PP like above makes me feel weird!

Anonymous wrote:My sister is this way, so she starts solids early and potty trains early, etc. I am more in the moment, so I wait longer. Both of our kids are fine. You do you.

Actually, she didn't potty train her girls until age 3.5. So, I dunno. She rushed the car seat stuff but not the diapers.

My sister is this way, so she starts solids early and potty trains early, etc. I am more in the moment, so I wait longer. Both of our kids are fine. You do you.

Anonymous wrote:^^ this is why some people shouldn’t have kids. I’m sorry for your son.

Sounds like she's doing everything she can. If you can't have some compassion for her, you're not as superior as you think you are.