A Question for ALL Mummy's?

Question

Everyone say's bringing up children is hard work....... What I'd like to know is.... Is there anyone who thought it was a doddle? Easy peasy? And Why?

Answer 1

I would have to say that raising my daughter has been fairly easy. She was a super baby, just a cuddle bug and hardly complained at all. She never had any feeding problems and was very easy to wean off the breast to bottle, then from bottle to sippy cup, then from sippy to regular cup. She gave up her pacifier in one day. She also was very very easy to potty train and was trained at 24 months. We never had any sleeping problems so far. And we have skipped the terrible twos.

However, now that I am pregnant with my second baby, I am very concerned that I got off too easy with my daugher....I am thinking my son will be harder....only time will tell!!!

Answer 2

Well, of course it was never "easy", except for when everything was going well, no one was sick, and everyone was happy. You are always the protector, and the leader, and you just have to accept that once you become a mother. BUT I will confess here, that I honestly don't know any kids who were more cute, smart, and sweet than my own. I guess that's a good thing for a mom to feel, and of course I could never say that to anyone, not even my best friends because then they would be insulted! But my children were just a JOY to raise. They still are. I am not looking forward to the time that they are gone to college.

When they were little, they were funny kids, who were good in school, and nice to other children. They were always a little on the strange side, too, which I like. As babies, they were drop dead beautiful, sweet, and laughed very early. My son was smiling before he was a month old, and was always so creative. The girl threw me the biggest loop though, when she reached adolescence. Gone was the little snuggle puss, she became a young woman and wanted more distance. That was very hard, but that is normal. That's just one of the things that no one really warns you about, also because all of my friends had boys. Now I just enjoy my kids so much, and I wouldn't trade this experience for all the chocolate on earth, or in the galaxy.

I also remember during the pre-school years, having the teachers say that the 'terrible two" would come, and I felt weird because they never really did. Then a teacher told me that if a child is "too good" during the twos, and threes, that disaster will strike in the teen years. I think I'm still waiting for the disaster to strike, although with my son the teen years are almost over, so he better hurry up if he is to execute that plan.

Answer 3

It's really one of those swings and roundabouts kind of jobs. You get great times along with really tough times. I can't imagine anyone thinks it's a complete doddle.

I think some things can come very naturally to some people. Some are naturals with children, and get the balance right from the start. Others pick things up as they go along. Everyone is learning the whole time. It's a very flexible job.

I know my daughter was the toughest baby/toddler in the world to handle - cried all the time, wouldn't sleep in the day or night. Then she turned into the most independent, intelligent, thoughtful kind girl you could imagine. Everyone is amazed at how lovely she is after the first couple of years...!

My son, on the other hand, slept through the night from 2 weeks onwards, never cried, was a happy smiley baby from day one. Then as he got into toddlerhood, it became apparent something was wrong, and the terrible behavioural problems began - hitting, screaming, spitting, scratching, kicking, biting. He's autistic. But he's wonderful too.

Like I said, swings and roundabouts.

Answer 4

Well....I've got to say I was surprised by my first. The hardest thing was the loss of independence and the TOTAL dependence of your child. I remembering wanting to have a shower at the hospital and was about to go when suddenly I thought...OMG, who looks after the baby?? Do I have to take her with me? Is this the rest of my life??

BUT, then I settled down and you know what? The biggest surprise it wasn't nearly as hard as I'd thought. People told me I'd be tired and depressed - and really, I wasn't. I had a fantastic time. Life felt like a party, really. We went to kiddie gym, swimming and music, hung out with other families, I napped when she napped and played fun games. I was in heaven.

We've had another child since then and I've got to say I find it a struggle with two kids - I'm always worried about giving them both enough attention, I never have enough hands. I'm also tired all the time. And as the kids get older you have bigger worries than diapers and breast vs formula. You have bullying, drugs, pregnancy worries. Worries at school. Some days I miss my life before kids - and if you're young I'd say WAIT a bit longer and enjoy the carefree years. But I don't regret having my kids and I love my life with them.

Answer 5

My kids have both been "easy" kids so I feel lucky. But it is still hard work to be a parent. Even if you have people around to help with the kids it's like you're on call 24/7. I like what the first answerer said about taking a shower. One thing that can be hard for me is meals. Your kids still have to eat even if you don't want to. Sometimes on the weekend I don't always remember to eat lunch or if I have a big lunch I may not want to eat supper, but you can't just skip meals when you have kids. I know you shouldn't anyway, but sometimes adults do things like that. The other bad thing is when they get sick. Not only is it scary if they are seriously ill or if they are injured and you have to take them to the ER, but one of the worst things in the world is cleaning vomit out of carpet, but you have to do it because you are the parent.

Answer 6

Overall compared to other families, mine are easy. I have four children, eldest 10,8,2 and 1. Great little people, do have hard days, but they have great manners, respect others, and love one another. Life is tough for everyone, its how you handle the struggles that determine how happy life will be.
A child's personality plays apart, how close the age gap is between each child, and good parenting skills!!The 20 month gap has been a challenge.

Answer 7

My daughter was a fairly easy child as well.

However, I think what everyone else is forgeting to tell you is that no matter how "easy" your child is, parenthood is still hard.

The first time your child gets sick is one of the scariest moments ever, the first scraped knee, bump on the head. The first time someone makes fun of them. Waking up in the middle of the night to make sure they're still breathing. All of it's hard, and scary.