What's been your favourite age with DC?

[saylor]

I have a 2yr5m old and a 15 month old. It's been utter hell during lockdown trying to entertain them both and have them around me constantly, every minute of the day, every evening I'm exhausted and I can't see a light at the end of the tunnel at the moment.

I really like both stages my DC are at at the moment and would love them in isolation or one at a time, but the two of them together has been hard.

I know it gets easier. But tell me what was your favourite age?!

Under 5 I just love. That whole pre-school stage is just so lovely. My youngest is 7 and that is still a nice age.

Teens are like a hell I never knew existed.

Whatever age they were at the time! Trite I know, but I enjoyed different things at different times, and apart from the non-sleeping hell early on, it was all good in its way

With the benefit of hindsight, I'd go for the older primary school years.

And then again the young adult years.

Realised in writing that, that they are both the times when the trials and terrors of the early years, and then of the puberty years, have abated, and - if you're lucky - you get wonderful years of childhood and the emerging adult without the tantrums

6 and under. Teenagers are horrific

Primary age. Independent enough for you not to be physically exhausted by their daily care needs but still young enough to not back chat you!

Erm the bit you're in :o Sorry!! Age 12-36 months is my absolute favourite. However, have never had two at once in that age range - quite possibly that makes it much harder.

If it helps, age 3-5 is a total change from what's happening now, and I suspect having two in that age range together would actually make it easier rather than harder, except for having to break up fights. I know someone with a 2 and 4 year old and she keeps saying at the moment how glad she is that they have each other.

DD was best between 18mo and 3. She started sleeping properly, her chatting was hilarious and she was so sweet and loving. I could take her anywhere and never worried about her running off or touching things. Then she started preschool and it all went a bit downhill with regards to her back chatting! She's 6 now and veers between angel and demon frequently throughout the day. Still very sensible though.

DS was a wonderful baby, for the most part. Slept fairly well, ate everything, lovely little cheerful potato. Then he turned 1 and that was when he decided life was too short to be well behaved! He's nearly 2 and is a terror. A very sweet one, but an absolute monkey.

The age gap is hard, especially right now, but it could be worse! Sympathies OP

With dd1 I found the early years difficult, probably because I was also very young. The teenage years were the best.
Dd2 is 4. From 2+ I love when they can have a conversation with you. The newborn stage was hard.

Any age over 3.
Not a fan of the baby or toddler bit. Far too needy and demanding, and the lack of sleep 😴
Teenage stage has its ups and downs.
Primary school age is def the easiest and most pleasant!

Ive enjoyed all ages tbh (Currently 17yrs,12yrs, 5yrs, 2.5yrs)

DS is nearly 7 and this is my favourite age. I found the baby and toddler stages exhausting. Now he's old enough to do some things independently but still young enough to want to spend time with me. No experience of teens yet but I can imagine that will be challenging in a different way!

Definitely under 5. As an older mum and had two DC 13 months apart so it wasn’t a walk in the park and was very exhausting.

My eldest is 14 but actually i've found her much easier since she got to about 12. Don't get me wrong, she still hates me, but there is reason to appeal to, at least.

DS1 is 18, I'd say from 15+ he's been a real pleasure to have around the vast majority of the time! Appreciate we might have just gotten very lucky though, I did expect a much harder time with a teen! DD is 12 and already giving us a taste of the true stoppy teen experience...

I loved the 3-6ish stage as well when they were really curious and always asking questions (10yo DS2 never really stopped!) but I know DH found those years hard work.

My kids are 4 and 5 and i can assure you OP that your life will get so much easier! (Unless you have anothe baby). Mine are the best of friends and a perfect mix of needing me but being independent. I know firsthand how hard your life is right now though you have the extra slog of lockdown. So while i lived then being babies, the workload was so immense. I think now is the best age.

DS is 15. He is fab. Has been great company since he was about 8 or 9. I find toddlers excruciatingly boring unfortunately.

Mine are 7 and 9 - I find them pretty easy going most of the time , they get on well, enjoy school/clubs etc, happy on their x box at home (so don’t bother me too much 😂)
I REALLY struggled with the baby and pre-school years - not for me !

I love the toddler stage. My DS has just started walking but not enough to run away. Not quite talking yet and very cute.

Absolutely dreading when he get to the potty training age, that's where it all went down hill with DD.
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DD is a very difficult preschooler. Loads of accidents (toilet and just physical accidents) and so much attitude and back chat.