What age did/do you most enjoy parenting?

[Doordine]

What age were/are your kids when you most enjoyed parenting them?

Mine are just turned 2 and 4 and there are so many things about these ages I will miss but, for me, I'm pretty sure this age is not it...

Between 4 and 12/13
Then now they are young independent adults with own homes and jobs. It's lovely now I have my own space but good relationships with them after some hair raising teen years

When I was pregnant with my first and was blissfully unaware and had only my thoughts of what a perfect, angelic child I'd have and my lovely rose tinted life I'd lead 😆

I jest, obviously. The stage your at was hard. I'm at ages 7-14 now and it's become a lot easier now we're out of the unreasonable toddler/preschooler stage.

Ds is 7 months. Best age so far :)

I always thought 3-6 was fun, seeing how they were starting to view things and question how and why things were a certain way. I thought the 'why?' stage would be draining but I actually enjoyed it for the most part!

And DS1 from 15+ (now 18) has been great, barely a hint of teen dramatics or stropping, just seeing him turn into a proper young man making his own choices and finding his own views. I think we've been very lucky though, he's always been laid back, but 12yo DD is already gearing up for full on teenage meltdowns!

Infant school. Old enough to follow instructions, small enough to be picked up and carried.

Newborn and teen years have been hard but I really enjoyed all the in between stages in different ways.

Depends on the child. Ds1 I had little joy or enjoyment at all whatever his age.
PND and he has been a challenge and very very difficult.
Now he is older he is good company and I swell with absolute pride and relief that he has found his path. It’s a miracle and could have gone a very different way easily.
Second child though, an absolute joy from conception til now. Second child I would describe how being a parent should be, totally different all together.

I think a lot depends on what is going on elsewhere in your life. I loved the period from when my oldest was 4 months until she was 4 and a half, by which time the younger one was 2 and a quarter.

But that is probably because I had I was either working part-time in a reasonably stress free job or I was on maternity leave/career break.

After that age I had a much more stressful job so things became more difficult and I had less time to enjoy them.

I'm also enjoying being a parent to adult children (youngest is now 20), even though most of the time that is via WhatsApp or Skype rather than in person.

teen years

Mine both walked at 10 months and I felt it got much easier when they got up on their feet. So I think the best age is around 1-4.

Newborn to 18 months I loved both times. The nap times especially! And them just being happy to be with you/not need a massive amount of entertainment. And not arguing back.
Being happy with a simple game/song/cuddle/dummy. They're 5 and 8 now and oh my god THE ARGUMENTS with each other and with me. And the moaning. I find them amazing, and watching them grow is a huge pleasure especially when they are able to have proper conversations and learn new things but give me a baby any day! I find it harder the older they get

Mine are now 10 and 9.

My absolutely happiest time was when DS1 was 7 months to a year (ok short time frame!) - he’d been difficult as a small baby but was suddenly really easy going, happy, slept through the night, it was summer and I had friends also on Mat leave. I was planning my wedding. Happy times!

Then I spoilt it by going back to work, and getting pregnant, when DS was 12 months, silly me!

I also like 7 year olds - still cute, funny, but less intense than toddlers.

I'm loving the teen years. Two still at home but one ( fingers crossed) due to head off to uni this October.

Did not enjoy the toddler years so much, and think I'm still in recovery from DD in particular.... Her tantrums are still legendary amongst family and friends. I am a natural introvert and really need an hour or two alone every day, so I really struggled with the 'no time to myself even in the loo' decade. The tweenie years were much easier but it was still tough managing full time work, a long commute and patching childcare, clubs, 11+ etc together.

I know it's probably not the norm but I'm really enjoying seeing my teens develop emotionally and intellectually. Possibly because I'm at a different age and stage myself, but I'm more patient with them and I (usually!) think they're fun and interesting company even when they roll their eyes at my political views and find creative ways to evade housework and curfews.

Mine are 7 and 9 now and it's bloody brilliant. I struggled with lack of sleep for ages, and I stayed in a job rather than progress my career to fit in with them.

I love that we can do activities that are mutually enjoyable, that they are a bit more independent so I can return to my career and hobbies in earnest, that they don't need me to do everything for them. I love seeing their funny, kind personalities.

Interesting.
I have basically nothing else going on at the moment in my life as I'm furloughed but for me, I think that stops me enjoying them as much. I enjoy them so much more when I'm working - I really appreciate the time with them on my days off.
Perhaps it's the relentlessness more than the age thing.
The other thing is having 2 - I enjoy them so much more 1 on 1. Together they fight so much and I feel like I'm pulled in different directions. Sometimes I literally am...

@stompythedinosaur yes that's how I imagine that age. Enjoying things together and more time for myself will be nice.

4-7 has been most enjoyable for me. They're almost grown up but still silly and don't have the school stress or worries about what's cool.

My son is coming up 12. He's great and independent but I miss when he was carefree

Toddler years are definitely my least favourite so far. Everything apart from toddlers is good. But my eldest is only 13 so maybe there worse to come

I loved the new born phase but the sleep deprivation took over too soon!

I have a DD 22 and a DS 15 and I honestly think from about 13 onwards has been my favourite. Their first and middle school years are a bit tainted with the guilt and stress of DH & I both working ft and juggling childcare. Constant worries about what I was missing and feeling bad for not spending enough time with them.

Especially the last couple of years my career is in a place where I am earning well and work is much more flexible and less stressful so I am here much more for DS than I was when DD was a teen.

I love that they are great company, I love that DS has a great sense of humour. DD and I are close so we have long talks and enjoy some of the same things.

I like them as babies from around 5/ 6 months onwards until they start walking around 12-15 months.... and then again from around 5 years!
DD is 15 and despite the odd teenage drama, we have a great relationship!
DS is 10 and i am still enjoying the parenting...

The primary school years...innocence, easily pleased, Christmas magic, loved it all. I've found it harder as they've got older. Gaming battles, social media, GCSE's, .. Some good moments but it feels a struggle sometimes.

I really enjoyed newborn to 4. I was blessed with a baby that slept and never had tantrums. The years before she went to school were the best. No stress... just easy! And I was working full time. Really didn't enjoy 6-10. No longer cute and watched a happy, smiling, chilled child become less smiley and more stressed due to impact of school. Now 11 and she's finding her feet again. Just bracing myself for teenage years!

Toddler years were fun but I’m loving dd1 being 12 and dtds are 8 but still have the odd tantrum. I’m hoping that 9 will see them finally shake that. I like teens in general so not dreading it but dh is already struggling with dd1 growing up so he’ll probably be my biggest challenge and I’ll be chief negotiator.

Ages 4-8 are lovely as they are a bit less clingy but still think you are the world. But actually now, at 15 and 16 is good too. They are able to left, overnight if need be, and are growing in to fantastic adults. I also feel like I have my life back to some extent and am planning on what I want for the future.
The worst is baby and toddler, when you are totally bamboozled by the responsibility and change to your life, and tweens, where their hormones kick in and they seem to just find fault with everything you do.