Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

Everyone says you should enjoy every moment because it goes so fast.

I am trying so hard to enjoy each and every precious moment.

I'm finding it hard because I feel like everything is passing me by as hard as I try to enjoy and remember each moment.

It's SO hard to enjoy every moment, when most moments (or at least what seems like most) are spent with Thomas throwing a fit or tantrum over seemingly nothing these days. We've been calling him Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde, because he can have the sweetest, funniest, happiest personality, and then, watch out, he turns! Hysterics, screaming, pushing you away, etc.

I'm always exhausted, worried that I'm raising a brat or a terror and just trying to get through each day, and it makes me so sad to feel like I'm not enjoying every moment as much as I should and that soon, I'll be looking back and regretting that I didn't enjoy his baby and toddler years as much as I should have.

Does anyone else feel like this? Any tips on how to feel better?

Thanks!

Re: Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

I sometimes feel the same way, DS is only 10 wks but very colicky . I feel like I complain about him and I shouldn't ! I wanted him so badly!!! I really try to stop and take a few min when he is happy or quiet, no matter what I have to get done, I will drop it to enjoy his peaceful moments!

Re: Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

I actually feel it a lot more than I did when DS was younger. I am not sure if it is because he is more vocal with what he wants and is more demanding at 2.5 and then I have DD who is 16 months so I feel like I can't catch up. Sometimes I feel really guilty that I don't enjoy some of the moments as much as I should, especially since I am a SAHM.

Re: Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

I get crazed often these days when DS wont eat or throws his tantrums.

However, Each night I watch him while he is sleeping and I thank god for the little angel that he is and I really try to be present during that moment

Re: Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

I think the expression "The days are long but the years are short" best describes it for me.

No, I don't enjoy every moment - particuarly the ones where I've dealing with screaming, bickering children or the ones where they are dealing with a screaming mom. Definitely. Not. My husband was convinced one child had a psychiatric problems. He didn't believe me that it was normal toddlerhood. At times, I doubted it too.

But I enjoy the quiet moments & cherish the better days.

Toddlerhood is very tough. I don't know anyone who thought it was easy to deal with ego-maniacal little kids that thinks everything is theirs & flip out when things don't go their way. It's hard. REALLY, REALLY HARD.

But it does go fast. You'll never lament over the times when he was throwing a tantrum, but you will look at his face & think about the times he'd climb up on your lap. Hang in there.

Message edited 11/24/2008 4:12:31 PM.

Re: Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

I'm glad you posted this, because I feel this way all the time. I feel like because I work, I'm missing SO much of her life- and when I get home, I'm exhausted, or have so much running around to do (cooking dinner, laundry, etc), that I miss even more.

It makes me sad!

Re: Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

When I have bad moments, they are usually cancelled out by the wonderful moments that I have....

So I tend to look at it in a more positive light, I have so many lovely, loving, adorable moments, that the bad ones are easy to forget!

Re: Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

I could have written that word for word...things have been pretty rough here lately. DS is absoultely misserable if i'm not sitting within 2 inches from him. This then makes me misserable and I just can't take it anymore. When we're playing together or sitting on the couch together he's the happiest baby around. The second I move to do anything he screams bloody murder...even if i'm still in the same room.

It's so hard to enjoy the time when most of the time he's screaming

I try to get out of the house as often as possible because he's a different baby when he's out and about.

Re: Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

I know exactly what you mean. I think all the things you are feeling are totally normal....toddlers are TOUGH

Re: Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

All the time! and I hate it.

I spend most of my day fustrated because my 3 year old doesn't want to listen to me, and my almost 7 month old wants no one else but me, and freaks out if I leave the room, so I'm carrying him around with me all day. I feel bad for my DD because its hard for me to spend that quality time with her, and when I do take 10 mins to sit in her playroom and play with her, my DS will freak out I'm not with him... I feel like I can't win sometimes.

I'm so happy Julia is in school twice a week, so she gets that time to play and have fun with her friends, its hard for me to take them both out most of the time with out my DH. I know it will get better once Todd Jr gets a little older and more independent, and I can get some more a lone time and not feel so stressed out!!, I love that saying... If mama ain't happy, nobodys happy! its SO true! lol

Re: Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

Well, although Cailen for the most part is a lad back kid, when he tantrums, there is no getting him out of it - even as an infant - a crying fit was bad....

The best way to handle it is with a sense of humor. ALL time goes quickly, even cranky time. DH and I joke about it - and it helps.

Re: Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

Thank you so much everyone for replying! It helps to know other people feel this way!

Re: Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

I noticed that happening so I make a conscious effort to stop for a moment and take it all in, the way she looks, feels, and smells at that moment. I try to do it every day. It' already going too fast.

I am sure though that there are phases in childhppd that are a tiny bit harder to enjoy and "savor".

Message edited 11/25/2008 9:21:06 AM.

Re: Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

I could have written this!!

Re: Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

I think this is true of anything in life, things move very fast, and the older I get, the faster everything seems to move.

Sometimes there are days when we are busy, and I don't feel like I spent as much time playing with DS as I would have liked, or just appreciating him. But that is a part of life, I can look at our activities and cut down on some things, but there are still lots of things we'll need to do.

I try to take a moment at some point in the day, no matter how busy, to play with him, and focus entirely on him. Not feeding or dressing, but just playing with him, talking or singing to him, and enjoying him. Most days there are several moments like this.

Re: Does anyone feel like they are not enjoying the "moment" as much as they should?

I feel like this sometimes. I resigned from my job when my second son was born and I'm home. There are days that I feel that I should be so grateful to be able to be home (which I really am) but it can be so hard. Dealing with two kids that cry a lot of the time and dealing with tantrums, kids hurting themselves, kids hurting each other, etc.

DS#1 is 2 1/2 and can really be a handful sometimes, especially when we don't get out that day. My 9 month old is a great baby but he's used to getting what he wants when he wants. Therefore it can be very challenging.

I have learned to laugh a little more when he has these outbursts. Just try and look at him and think how rediculous the situation is..............if you can.