I May Not Miss The Same Things You Miss
@aidenofthetower (1814)
United States
December 24, 2008 8:01am CST
I get annoyed when people tell me that I will miss stages in my children's development. It started when I was pregnant. "Enjoy these days, you will miss being pregnant!" women who loved being pregnant told me.
Well...my first pregnancy had be getting sick (not just nauseous) all the way up to his birth. Sure there were a few things I enjoyed about having him inside be, but I didn't like being pregnant and was very glad when it was over. I still remember with fondness laying in the tub and watching him roll around in my giant belly. But, it wasn't enough to make me miss pregnancy.
Then I had the baby lovers telling me, "Enjoy it while he is so little, you will miss these days!" Sorry folks. Babies spit up, poop, cry, sleep, and eat (not necessarily in that order). I don't really miss him being really little. I think that I enjoy my time with him more each day as he learns more and more. He is now two and a half and I have a lot of fun playing with him and having him be my little helper.
I am thinking that the stage of his life I will miss the most is from about 3-6. For me this is an exciting time of inquisitive learning while still being dependent enough for special mommy/son bonding. After that, independence starts taking over and growing up happens so fast.
Of course...now that I am pregnant again people have started telling me what I will miss again. I think that each of us miss different things according to our personalities and experiences.
2 people like this
11 responses
@bamakelly (5191)
• United States
30 Dec 08
There are definitely different stages of child hood. I have a boy that is only five years old. He is already becoming quite independent himself. Pretty soon he won't need me to help him as much but I will always be his mother nonetheless.
I think that our children will always need us no matter what. I am enjoying my time with him now and appreciate having him as my son. 1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
30 Dec 08
My son is 23 years old now, and he and my daughter are in fact my best friends. But boy do I remember the years of having to time him to see how fast he could run around the house - about a million times to try and beat his speed - when he was about 7. And my daughter constantly wanting me to "watch this mommy" as she leapt around the room like a little dancing monkey! Neither one of them ever tiring! Hahahahaha, yeah, I loved every minute of it but I sure am LOVING having some time to myself every now and then, and a couple of best friends to boot!
@sunny0806 (248)
• China
25 Dec 08
My son is 2 years old now.
I feel happy when I think of my pregnancy. Many preganant women vomit in the first 3 months and some one can not eat anything. But I almost had no feel at the first stage and after then I have a very good appetite. Of course my body weight grew fast. Every time when I felt the fetus kicked me I'll be very exciting. I'll say hello to him by touching my belly. Since I felt his moving in my belly I began to communicate with him by touching, saying or listening music. It the most happy time of my pregnancy. I often taste that feel now but I think I will not have this feel again. In China we have a birth control policy and one couple only have one child now.
Congratulate you and enjoy your pregnancy.
1 person likes this
@aidenofthetower (1814)
• United States
31 Dec 08
The baby moving was my favorite part of pregnancy too. I loved talking with my first as he moved around. My husband would play him music and loved that he seemed to have favorites (he would move more to certain types of music). I am looking forward to this stage of pregnancy with this baby. I can't imagine having a government that can tell you how many children you can have, but I am glad that you had a good pregnancy that you can remember well!
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
24 Dec 08
I understand your feelings and agree with your comments. I enjoyed our kids so much when they were between 6-10. They were so much fun. When they entered junior high school, it was difference. This is where I saw changes and independence. Our kids are grown now and I love spending time with them. They are happy and successful adults and this old mom is beaming with pride.
1 person likes this
@aidenofthetower (1814)
• United States
29 Dec 08
You should be beaming with pride! I think having adult children can be fun as long as you are willing to let them grow up and don't fight them. I am also looking forward to grandchildren...that will be a lot of fun as well.
1 person likes this
@cbreeze (1205)
• United States
24 Dec 08
I remember those days. I have to agree with you. What each of us miss will vary greatly as we are all unique. I have six children, but I hated being pregnant. I hated the stretch marks, the tiredness, the morning sickness, looking like the good year blimp. But it was the only way to have the baby. I have thoroughly loved each stage of my children's lives, but I don't really miss those stages as they pass because i have my memories. My favorite stage is whatever stage or age they are currently because it means they are alive and healthy. Thanks for sharing.
@sunny0806 (248)
• China
25 Dec 08
A great mother with six children.
I feel tired with only one baby.
It's difficult to bring-up a child.
Of course more children more care from them when you are old.
When bitter ends sweet will come.
1 person likes this
@aidenofthetower (1814)
• United States
29 Dec 08
I am certainly glad I am not the only one who hates being pregnant! I don't know that I have the patience it takes to have six kids though...that is a lot of work. Thank you for sharing.
1 person likes this
@LadyWinter (195)
• United States
24 Dec 08
I think as they get older we miss our children in general. I dont like babies, but I miss being able to just cuddle with my daughter and son. I miss being needed for every boo boo. They grow to quickly and are gone in my opinion. You may not miss things now, your children are still so young....I hated being pregnant but long sometimes for the excitement of the changes in my body. I love my children at the ages they are now...but having a 14 year old just makes me realize how soon she will be in college and out of the nest and how much I will miss our daily time together.
I look forward to being able to be with my husband without children, but I will always miss them when they are not physically here.
1 person likes this
@aidenofthetower (1814)
• United States
29 Dec 08
I think it is logical to look back at our lives or our children's lives and remember all the great things and miss those. At the same time I think it is different for each of us. I might change my mind when they are all grown and gone.
1 person likes this
@Troublegum (641)
• United States
24 Dec 08
You will miss the days of people telling you that you will miss these days. When people stop telling you that, you know you won't be missing those days.
1 person likes this
@aidenofthetower (1814)
• United States
26 Mar 09
Thankfully my second pregnancy hasn't been near as bad as my first one was. I can't say that I will ever miss being pregnant though. I am now seven months and looking forward to getting it over with (and meeting my little girl face to face). I love my son, but won't mind it when he is just a little older and a little more independent!
@bethyboo (399)
• United States
2 Jan 09
I completely agree with you.
I hated being pregnant and hated to hear "Enjoy these days, you will miss being pregnant!" I would just smile and think to myself "You're not the one throwing up every day." So I knew I was never miss being pregnant.
I don't miss my son being a little baby because I enjoy playing and watching him learn too much. He is 14 months old now.
Everyone is different but they don't have to tell me what stages I will miss.
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
30 Dec 08
I don't miss anything about being pregnant, nor do I miss my kids being young children - although I loved every moment of the ride, I am glad it is over. Very time consuming raising children!
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
15 Jan 09
You are correct. Everyone has a different experience. I missed being pregnant after my daughter was born. We seemed so in sync. My son ( his name is Aiden by the way) was born Dec 10 2008. And I am glad he is here. But I don't miss the pregnancy. As long as you find enjoyment with the children, I think that is all that matters. Good luck with the new baby.
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
24 Dec 08
I agree. People told me the same kinds of things, and keep telling me. I had a good pregnancy, but I don't miss being pregnant. I have moments of nostalgia, like when I look at old pictures or something, but that doesn't mean I miss it, I just have fond memories.
I do sometimes miss things about my son being a baby, but the joy of watching him grow and learn new things overshadows that. I prefer to focus on enjoying the moment rather than missing the past or anticipating the future.
@aidenofthetower (1814)
• United States
31 Dec 08
I miss nap time! I think now is definitely a good time to enjoy. Each day is a new adventure and can bring about new things!
