who are these kids?....I miss my kids being little,crazy?!

Mike - posted on 03/27/2013

A dad here....this hits home for me. Kids are now 16 and 10. We are starting to look at colleges for our son. Gone are the days of legos and Lincoln logs. Our daughter is now more interested in fashion than fairy princesses.

We are also dealing with the teenage attitude and rebellion which is very tedious and tiring.

It seems like only yesterday that we brought them home from the hospital as newborns...but it really has been 16 and 10 years. I know how life works...you raise your kids so they can leave the nest and succeed on their own. I just never realized how quickly the really early years would pass.

I wish I had a time machine so I could go back and play with the kids 7 or 8 years ago.

Kristi - posted on 06/20/2012

Hi Mariah,



I just wanted to say that my mom says my sister and I treated her like crap when we were in high school. I don't remember doing that, at least not on purpose. I do remember not spending a lot of time with anybody who did not have "teen" as part of their age. lol If I wasn't at school, participating in sports or at a sporting event and by 16 at work, I was in my room and on the phone. I don't remember being very thankful for anything either. I guess I never really thought about it, I didn't assume things were owed to me or anything like that but I think I took a lot for granted. In any event, once I hit about 20, things started clicking. I realized my parents were right a lot more often than I thought and that's when I started confiding in my mom again. She is my best friend and she has been my shelter through some pretty nasty storms. I've apologized for hurting her and have done everything I can to treat with the love and respect she has always deserved since then. My sister isn't as close to our mom as I am but they have a strong, healthy relationship now, too. Moms are the safety nets. I think kids "know" instinctively, that no matter what, we will always be there, and that sometimes that's part of the reason they/we/I play fast and loose with us/them/her. She'll be back. The waiting sucks. Being ignored is awful. I wish I could offer you some helpful advice but my daughter is just reaching the tip of the iceburg at 13. So in a few years maybe we can meet again and you can tell me what got you through. ; ) Kids need their mom, whether they're 4 or 40. She will be back.

Mariah - posted on 06/19/2012

I feel the same. My teenager starts high school in a few months. And while she's thrilled, I can't stop crying. She is a happy, healthy, thriving young woman, and it breaks my heart. As a little girl she was my buddy. We did everything together. Then she became a teenager, and now I'm lucky if she even looks in my direction. We spend no time together anymore, though she does spend every second she can with her dad. Give me back the toddler and little kid years anyday, these teenage years are hell, and so lonely and heartbreaking. I can only hope that someday she decides I'm worth her time again.

Holly - posted on 09/20/2009

Oh my Gosh! You are definitely not alone. If I get out my family pictures I start crying when I see my kids from 8 years ago. I miss them loving me unconditionally and wanting to be at home doing things with the family. Now my oldest three just want to be out with their friends 24/7.

Linga - posted on 09/19/2009

Hi Teri, I also miss my babies! Like you, I have three all very close in age: twin boys who are 13 and a daughter who is 12. So, like you I had three babies at once and no more little ones to snuggle and play with! Makes me want to have another because I miss that stage... *sigh*

Kim E. - posted on 09/18/2009

HI, I miss my little men, but I know he has grow into his independence. Someones, I feel totally along with him in the house. He no longer yearns to me in my presence. What's a mom to do?

Mandie - posted on 09/18/2009

I thought the same thing you do, but I am learning that we all go through this stage and I am finding that I can just keep loving them and showing them that I care and hope that they come out of these years safe and sound...although I may be crazy by the end of it!! I love my kids so much and its hard to watch them go through these emotions. I just try to remember how I was at their age, how I felt and remember that it doesn't last. Most of us turn out ok...it's normal.

Eronne - posted on 09/14/2009

hold your breath cuz the ride's just beginning. You will survive and the fast majority of well-loved, semi-well-parented children turn out great. The important thing is that you survive. It's been said 1000 times but don't over-react about the small issues...safe it for the big ones because there is sure to be one or two.

Dimity - posted on 09/14/2009

Your not!!...i feel the same sometimes...my son it 14 in a couple of weeks and i often wish for time to slow down or some times to even go back!!..Being my only child i find it very sad that he'll soon be grown and off on his own way in the world!. He's quiet independent now with a girlfriend and all that kind of stuff and just doesn't share all the things he use to with his Mom!. On the flip side it is wonderful to see him growing into a kind and beautiful young man....but i like you sometimes wish for that little boy who thought there was nothing more fun or wonderful than laughing his head off while trying to give me a million kisses all over my face, or snuggleing up reading a book or just hanging with his mom!!

Sandra - posted on 09/12/2009

You are not alone. I actually had told my son on several occasions I liked you better when you were little. He looks at me and tells me woman you are crazy and he smiles. He is 15 and loves to call me woman. I can still picture our communications sessions on the bed. I used to tell him we need to have a communication time so we will lay in bed next to each other and talk about our likes and dislikes of each other. It was cute till one of us will fall asleep. We used to have quality time and he would put a bag of popcorn in the microwave, then bring a blanquet lay on top of me and we would watch a movie and eat pop corn. Where this those magical days go... We had time for everything, quality time, communication time, bed time, eating time, and even time out because there were times when I used to put me in time out. I used to tell him mommy needs a timeout to relax. lol, lol they sure grow up fast.

Joanne - posted on 09/12/2009

you are diffently not alone,i have 4 kids 13,17,23,24, and i rem wen they were rel small saying i wish they were more grown,more independent,a friend said no you dont,wen they are lil you have lil problem,the bigger they get the bigger the problems haha i said, aww na, but omg,i found 15 yrs old to b the worst,altho im very thankful how they are growin up,they work great in school n no drugs.my best advice to any 1 is stand ur ground and keep the doors open for communication.i enjoy some conersations me n the kids have n some of them im like o god lmao..so good luck to all of u,just remember each age has there own thing they have to get threw,in time itll get better, :)

Renee - posted on 09/12/2009

You are not alone! I was at my best when my kids were babies and I do miss that a lot. But, all things must change. I really enjoy my kids now too though. They are becoming bright, thoughtful young adults. I think it's hard to adjust to the fact that they don't seem to need as much care from us. In reality, they do it's just in a different form. Just remember, they will always need Mom & Dad.

Linda - posted on 09/11/2009

I do miss my kids being little. What helps me is that my 8 year old grandson is currently lives with me all the time and is like my own. There are days that I call him Dave(his dad's name) and we both laugh about it. I wouldn't want to raise his dad again. Joshua is my lite of my life and his mom, dad and me share custody. he currently is with me full time and sees his mom when he can.

Sandra - posted on 09/11/2009

I have eight kids and their ages go from 10 to 23 and we lost one son to a heart defect . I will always miss the baby stage but we are lucky because we have a two year old grandaughter and they live near us so we get to play with her alot. every time I say I want a baby everyone thinks I am crazy . the teenage years are hard but the sweet little child will show up again I promise as I have raised a daughter and son to adulthood lol.

Heidi - posted on 09/11/2009

OMG I feel exactly the same way. I have 2 teenage daughters aged 13 and 16 and remember saying when they were little "I can wait for them to grow up and be more independant". Well that time has come and boy I wish it hadnt. There is more stress and worry now that I ever had when they were small. The only consilation is that apparently they come out of the other side (still waiting tho) lol. How I wish I could have back just one day with the sweet 2 and 5 year olds. Anyway you are not on your own I think this happens to a lot of parents. Dont know if this helps but here to chat anytime xx

Erica - posted on 09/10/2009

No, you're not alone. My sweet angelic little girl turned into a sulking, moody, antisocial teen exactly one month after her 13th birthday. It's like someone flipped a switch in her head. I don't know her at all anymore. It's like living with a stranger! I try to reach out to her and she wants nothing to do with me. Just wants to be in her room with the door closed. It HURTS! I don't know what to do.

MaryBea - posted on 09/10/2009

Yesssssss I miss my babies too! But at least now there is no more diaper changes or midnight feedings lol. I would have more but we are done. One day we will have the best of both worlds, grandchildren... but that best be way down the line.