Finally you’re out of the woods, you can sleep until 9 a.m. on Saturdays again, travel alone or exchange three sentences with friends without being interrupted. Splendid! Why should you still start all over again with a latecomer? Read it yourself!
by Marie Stadler
1. Children like to be useful
It’s good for children to be needed. When such a small person completely shakes up the family order, the older siblings quickly notice how grateful mom and dad can be for the smallest help. For example, when dad is desperately holding the baby’s feet in one hand and an empty pack of wipes in the other… Yes, big little helpers are a blessing! And grateful parents too.
2. Much more conscious this time
With the certain knowledge that this is really the last time you will experience all of this, you perceive everything much more consciously. The little kicks in your stomach, the first magical hours together, that little hand that clings so tightly to your finger… SHOW! With a latecomer it all happens again. And in slow motion.
3. Sooo calm
While all other parents are desperately reading “Oh dear, I’m growing” and trying to believe in the phase theory, latecomer parents have long since become completely enlightened. They know: Everything will pass. And that’s not always just bad news.
4. Old? Who is old here?
With another child, your environment also becomes younger. Suddenly you start calling people your friends whose babysitters you could have been just two decades ago. This broadens your horizons, keeps your brain young and sharp and makes you more tolerant. Oh yes, even children of the 90s are real adults now! Crazy!
5. The little big ones learn from the big big ones
It is clear that the little siblings learn a lot of great things and a lot of mischief from the older ones. But the older siblings can also consciously experience what being a parent really means. They learn to change diapers, are comforters and co-educators (whether you want that or not). This makes you self-confident and is also very popular with boys and girls. Or is there anything more touching than a big brother wearing braces with a baby in his arms?
6. Your hormones are going crazy at the same time
Well, that can definitely go on the cons list, but if menopause meets puberty for you and your latecomer at some point, then that’s almost a connection again, isn’t it? Maybe then we’ll understand each other better? Mhhh… quickly to point 7, that’s more convincing…
7.Definitely complete
Is it just the feeling that not everyone is there yet? With this longing for that one child that you just haven’t picked up yet, life is even worse than with little sleep. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned in life, it’s that you’re more likely to regret not doing something than having done something. Especially not when this something smells so wonderful, sighs so sweetly in your sleep and has such a permanent place in your heart. And that’s even before it even exists.