Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if anybody actually enjoys parenting toddlers?

131 replies

huk · 15/03/2026 14:08

Does anyone actually enjoy parenting toddlers? I’m actually miserable because of my toddlers behaviour, which isn’t me trying to ‘blame’ them; the responsibility for the behaviour ultimately lies with me but the crying and whining and screaming and inability to reason with them is just getting to me. I feel absolutely trapped in a screaming prison.

OP posts:
Original poster
huk · 15/03/2026 14:15

I saw an interview with her about it which really put me off, to be honest. She suggested sitting down on the pavement next to a toddler who refused to walk and look at the leaves, or something. I suppose it could work if you have one child and don’t work. Maybe that’s unfair and the rest is better.

OP posts:
Everybodys · 15/03/2026 14:13

I enjoyed it on the whole but there were a great many aspects I very much disliked. They're just bloody hard at that age.

And I wouldn't say responsibility necessarily lies with you either. There are things you can manage to an extent, so yes it is up to you to make sure you remove them from somewhere before they get overtired, for example. But there are times and aspects where there's just nothing you can do. Toddlers gonna toddler.

BiteSizeByzantine · 15/03/2026 14:13

Its a good thing theyre cute because oh my god its awful

NewGoldFox · 15/03/2026 14:11

I definitely didn’t enjoy it but there were nice bits.
Would really recommend Phillipa perrys the book you wish your parents had read, I found it very helpful in those seemingly unending days!

Original poster
huk · 15/03/2026 14:10

It really does, feels like absolute torture.

OP posts:
canklesmctacotits · 15/03/2026 14:09

Nope. Hated it. Thousand times worse than having teens. It does end though, even though it feels like torture when you’re in it!