"I’m just not that into toddlers, including my own" - Interesting Article

Codypup

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/im-just-not-that-into-my-kids/2014/09/04/72d252bc-1c22-11e4-82f9-2cd6fa8da5c4_story.html

My mom sent this article to me with the following email -- "Wish I'd read this when you were 15 months and kept flinging yourself down steps. Love, Mom. PS: It's okay, I love you now."

I enjoyed it - reminded me that it's okay to not be completely enamored of your child during every single stage of their lives. 

keags5496

DisneyPeanut said:

I'm not into babies, never have been. I love and care for my baby, but I notice when I'm around "baby people", they interact with him differently and can get him to laugh a lot more. I like toddlers a lot more. 3 used to be my sweet spot, so we'll see if that's still the case when DD hits that age next year.

Trade ya. You can have my 3 year old and ill take your baby

Iznik

I do not look forward to the toddler/preschool years! I rarely like children of that age, but I hope LO will be an exception!

TessyMessy

I love babies and toddlers even though they are challenging. I didn't start trying to trade DS1 until he was 5.

MamaAllison

@armfruit I'm with you! I'm also not a tiny baby person, but I like this 7 month stage

djtippietoes

I'm also not a tiny baby person.  I always felt a little guilty about that.  I don't miss the days when LO just laid on my chest.

becausemom

I'm not at my best around kids ages 7-11. J1 is 8. I love him with all my heart, but I am sooo ready for the "big kid years" to pass.

boogerbearoriginal

This really resonated with me, as I'm not a baby person I feel like birth-2yrs is a time you get through.  I find interacting with babies awkward. They just stare at you.

Once they start talking/playing it's better, and while my 3yr old can get on my nerves on occasion (especially if he's tired and cranky) generally he's awesome and I enjoy playing with him and talking to him.

I'm really looking forward to having older kids and even teenagers.

Codypup

I've never had a toddler, so I really don't know what to expect...but I liked how the article was basically giving permission for me to feel at peace for not loving every minute. We're human, and it's normal to be annoyed by certain stages.

I also LOVED her solution of recognizing her own feelings, and coming up with a plan - increase time in preschool, but spend more quality one on one time with the kids each week.