Anonymous wrote:I would turn off this feature on your iPhone so you stop getting reminded randomly. That way you can choose to go down memory lane when you are in the right mood.

My kids are 4 and 7 and I mostly just want them to grow up. I’m so unbelievably tired. Like I am never NOT tired. I’m more tired than I was when they were babies. I don’t like being a parent.

How old are you? In your 40s? Babe, you need to get your bloodwork done.

Yes, I miss babies, and then I remember getting older is a privilege and can't wait to see what happens next.

I've enjoyed every age and stage. I just try to be present and enjoy them for who they are now. Sometimes I miss having sweet little babies around, but I was also really, really tired then.

Anonymous wrote:Oh man I have loved every age. There are things I miss so much about every age that is gone forever. I think maybe the hardest thing is my kids were just super happy babies and toddlers. Yes they fussed and had tantrums but they were so happy. They still are overall happy and privileged kids but I hate seeing my oldest realize how crappy the world is. I wish I could fix that more than anything.

Does he ask you to help him do something to alleviate some of the misery he knows about?

Anonymous wrote:I am not coping well with the passage of time (quite a significant issue overall) and specifically as it pertains to my kids getting older. They are 7 and 10 and whenever the iPhone reminds me of them being younger (constantly) I just feel like I painfully miss them as babies. Anyone else? Urgh.

It is nice to reminisce about cute cuddly babies but don’t miss out on their current ages. This age was the sweet spot for me. There were no issues at all until 8th grade, just sweetness and wanting to be with us.

Oh man I have loved every age. There are things I miss so much about every age that is gone forever. I think maybe the hardest thing is my kids were just super happy babies and toddlers. Yes they fussed and had tantrums but they were so happy. They still are overall happy and privileged kids but I hate seeing my oldest realize how crappy the world is. I wish I could fix that more than anything.

Yes, but we had hellish toddler years. Noticeably worse than the parents around us. I wouldn’t go back.

Not really. The elementary years and probably the best years.

I miss holding babies and the awe of seeing things through their eyes when they were young. But teens are fun in a different way. You can be spontaneous and have deeper conversations. I've loved all stages (except maybe around 18 months, when they knew what they wanted but couldn't communicate). I guess now is when I see the impact of all the work in the early years.

But I do loy babies, so I get it.

Mine are teens and I still get waves from time to time. I ride the wave, have a cry. But really there are so many wonderful things about each stage. Now I am facing down the oldest going to college and I am so overwhelmed with excitement and sadness at the same time. She has so much to look forward to and I'm so proud but I'm going to miss her so much.

Anonymous wrote:Enjoy the moment. I think a lot of people find 7 and 10 to be a golden age. While they aren't babies, you really see their personalities come out and they are not yet in like tween/teen drama.

I hope not. I dislike 7 and 10. Nothing beats 0-6m in my mind. I loved maternity leave so much. 9-24m was the worst- little toddler terrorists who could barely tell me what they needed.

Holding those chubby babies in my arms is something I miss dearly. I was so busy with my 1st and 2nd babies, but with my 3rd, I just held her and nursed all day long. I loved newborns! If dh had made more money and I could have been a sahm, I think I'd have had 5 kids.

My kids, who are adults, will always be my babies. Mariah Carey said it

Anonymous wrote:Enjoy the moment. I think a lot of people find 7 and 10 to be a golden age. While they aren't babies, you really see their personalities come out and they are not yet in like tween/teen drama.

I have a 7 year old.

7 is awesome. He's writing these funny stories, he's starting to play strategy type board games, he's getting really into baseball. He's sweet to his younger brother. 7 is amazing.

Honestly once we got through the colicky newborn phase, I've found every stage has its charms. Newborns are cute and cuddly, watching toddlers learn about the world is amazing. Preschoolers are so curious and silly, now elementary school they're creating and building.

I know the tween and teen years are likely to be harder but I'm hoping maybe like my parents did with me I can start sharing some favorite books and such.