with my daughter she wanted no part of my carrying her by the time she was about 4. She told me she was a big girl. My son, however...he was probably 5 or 6! Mamma's boy!!

Never too old to hold. It's not often that we pick up our boys, aged 8 and 5, but it still happens from time to time. They both seem to really like being picked up at church.

never to old

My 10 year old neice still wraps herself around me for hugs. I think you're never too old to hold, and those pics of Kate Beckinsale and her daughter Lily are precious.

I also think "at some point they have to walk on their own" is a silly point to make. It's not like Kate's daughter can't walk, or my 5-year-old is carried everywhere we go. They just still like to be picked up sometimes.

Probably stopped picking her up at about age 6, she was getting too heavy for my bad back. At 12 years, she's 5'7 to my 5'1 so picking her up would be very bad for both of us.

My nephews are 6 & 7 and I picked up the 7 yr old about 2 weeks ago and had a very hard time doing so. But it could also have to do with the fact that I am only 5 foot and he's about up to my chest level.
But when I do have kids I'll hold them as long as they want it. I may have to sit down and hold them in my lap but I definitely will ... I still sit in my dad or mom's lap sometimes and I'm 21! Never too old to hold!

They ALL called it quits at Kindergarten. Sweet. I think that people like Brangelina carry their kids alot because they worry about abductions or the like and to get through the paps quicker. At least, that's what it looks like to me. Who knows?

My son started walking at 8 months, and was the size of a 3 year old at 18 months. I rarely carry him, and because he has always been a solid baby, I've had a bad back since pregnancy. He loves walking & I really love my nice stroller!

i think its all personal preference. i like the closeness with my kids. my oldest is almost 10 and a boy, so i don't really pick him up, but he will still cuddle up into my lap though. all long they know they will always be my babies no matter what age...

I agree w/ Greggie!! My now 5 year old wasn't carried / picked up by me for most of this past year due to a difficult pregnancy (limited lap time as well!) but I will enjoying snuggling him or having a warm moment as long as he wants! It was a real treat to finally be able to pick him up and swing him around a bit after his baby sister was born!!

never to old

never too old

when my oldest was 7 i got astress fracture from carrying her around all the time (she has severe autism so she's more like 18 months). it was hard because i have daughters 1 and 3 years younger than her. but i literally couldn't do it anymore. they still sit on my lap every chance they get and my youngest is 7

here's a question for you all; do you mouth kiss your kids? i don't like that for some reason but my youngest doesn't consider anything else a "real kiss".

Well I think in circumstances like Kates it's a little different. They weren't simple "at the beach". They broke down on the side of the highway...a BUSY highway at that. Kates husband asked the Papprazzi to take him to get gas and Kate walked over too the cliff by the car with Lily. Now, ask yourself...your broke down on the side of a busy highway with 20+ papprazzi (WHOM YOU DON'T KNOW)...would you hold your kid if they were a tad frightened?

I think so.

To answer Lickety Splits question:
Yes, well I'm the kid and I still kiss my mom on the mouth. She's my mother...she raised me. It's not like were making out or using tongue or our mouths are open. It's just a peck on the lips when you say bye or get hugs.

My boy is only 8 months so I have no idea when this will stop....not that I'm ready for it at all!

i'll continue to hold my daughter until it's impossible to!

Yeah, I'll hold them for as long as possible. My son is 7 and I am dreading him not wanting me to pick him up! It is hard to think that there will come a time when I'll just get a kiss on the cheek and hug.

Gorgeous pics!!

I think its okay as long as I'm not carrying a 9 year old around all the time, occasionally is fine.

to the question of kissing on the mouth...i'm 31 and i kiss my parents on the mouth, we just pucker and muah! no biggie! all my kids still kiss my on the mouth, even my oldest son.

*me* i swear..i need a edit button!!! LOL

My son is 6 and only about 1 1/2 ft shorter than me, so it's pretty tough. But if he's not feeling well or is really tired, I will make the effort for as long as I can. Otherwise, if he's fine, I don't carry him. My back just can't take it. My daughter is 4 and tiny, so I'll carry her as long as I can. I love to snuggle with my kids!

My daughter injured her foot when she was 9. I discovered that I could pick her up, but I couldn't carry her anymore. That was a sad day

She's now taller than me, so I can't even pick her up anymore, but you can bet I still hug her and hold her when she needs it!

I just saw the comments about kissing on the lips. A peck on the lips is not something bad. When you think about it, kids mimic their parents. How often do you kiss your SO on the lips in front of your kids? It's not like you're slipping the tongue.

I think at some point, maybe around 3rd grade, that's no longer cool to them, but it's about maturity. Just because they're getting bigger doesn't mean that they've outgrown their mommies and daddies.

I agree with never to old, but I voted Kindergarten cause she is already 43 lbs. and getting a little heavy to hold.
She still lets me feed her veggies sometimes though, so I'm covered.

I just picked up my 5-year old cousin who is the size of an 8 year-old. He didn't mind cuz he probably hasn't been carried in 2 years. He was heavy and only held him for about 2 minutes. But if u can why not!!

I just think its really awesome how she can pick up her 9-year old, more power to her!

Im upset seeing that because theres no way my parents would of picked me up at the age of 9.
And I wish I could of been that pretty at 9.
My mum also told me that when I was 5 and had the weird HSP illness and couldn't walk she said that I refused to let her carry me she said that I kept saying I was a big girl. My brother and sister was also like that. So why were we all like that in my family but no other kids are like that? Also is I haden't had that illness and wanted carrying my parents would of refused to carry me they would of told me that I was too big.
I also feel sorry for the little girl next door because she's only 8 and stopped getting picked up once she turned 5.