Goodbye Babyhood and Babies

I am not sure to be happy or sad. My youngest had her last nursing about a month ago. She is a little over 2 years old. It was a long relationship. It felt draining most of the time. With the older children (twin toddlers) I found it hard to focus on the youngest at all. Many times I would get frustrated because we were interrupted so much. But, she wanted to keep going and then one day was just done.

I guess I am sad because I know that this is it for us with regards to having more children. We are done with the birth and newborn and baby stage. I am getting rid of all the baby things. (big sigh).


Anyone else done with babies and the babyhood era?

If you are beyond and into elementary school age. How did you "get" over it and move on?

I know I do not post really. But, I have gotten so much good advice and help over the years. I just found this time of babies and toddlers so overwhelming I am not sure how you all found the time. Now I think I will have more time to post.

Thanks!!!

 

I don't think I ever really "got over it." I love the baby stage and toddler stage. I like the whole being depended on and learning to be independant. If you notice the age difference between my middle dd and twins, it's over four years. Rach was heading off to Kindergarden and I really needed "just one more." I still get a case of the baby blues on occasion. It would take a serious act of God for me to have another one though. So being "done" is a fact of life.

I will say, that as they get older, they can be alot more "fun." Having had all girls, I find the business of hormonal crud a little overwhelming and daunting at times, but it is fun to have someone that really wants to learn to cook. It's cool to have a little "mini me" to take out to get her hair done. School projects can be entertaining for us both. There is a certain sense of pride that comes with an older child accomplishing certain things, very similar to the first steps feeling. The level of comprehension and understanding increases every day with them. They ask the coolest questions. They notice the neatest little details in life. Those are the moments to look forward to. Continuing to see the world through the eyes of a child and seeing what makes them so fascinating is one of the greatest parts of motherhood. Mothering really doesn't get easier at any stage... It just gets different. Their needs are different. I'm at a point with my oldest dd that I am having to learn to let her find her own way a little at a time. She still wants and needs guidance but doesn't want to know she's getting any help. Figuring out how to navigate her emotional world is something I find way more difficult than dealing with my toddlers.

Embrace the new challenges and find the joy in it. That's the only way to survive.

 

I had a hysterectomy in October, and my twins are now 2. They are my youngest. It's hard. I still have a lot of BABY toys around. I just haven't been able to give them away. But I am looking forward to geting them more independent.

Teri

 

I was wondering this myself. Dh informed me last night he really wants to be done & I'm still unsure......but leaning towards being done, too. It's hard, though! I've been going through toys all day, getting ready for a yard sale & thinking "Do I really want to let these go, or keep them 'just in case'?" My house is going to be overrun, though, if I don't let some of them go. If we are done, though, I'm still looking forward to lots of nieces & nephews!