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...

0-2 was great, then it all went tits up until 8ish. They were okay up to 10ish, then pre-teen to 14 was tough. It’s all been lovely since. 5 and 12 were the peak of obnoxious, though.

Teens actually. Yes it has it's moments but you get your own life back whilst still having them close and my favourite thing in the world is a meal with my (almost) adult children. They've become really good company.

I think I liked the toddler years-little sponges of curiosity and happy with simple pleasures.

Pre-walking and then 4+ (oldest is 8 now). 6 and 7 were especially nice ages, a bit of tweenie bolshiness is kicking in now.

I really loved the summer of 2008 when ages ranged from 11 down to 3. They wanted to know stuff and could talk about fairly complicated concepts with the older ones, then for some light relief get down on the floor to play dog pile with the littlies. The older ones were not yet concerned about self image, whilst the younger ones were happy wandering about with buckets on their heads. They were all in bed (and some asleep) by 8.
I often remember the golden hour of each day that summer when my partner got home from work and the heat was off me. Partner had a ritual of stripping off his clothes as he walked in and through the house then launching himself into their pool in the garden (in his underpants). They thought he was their hero. The noise! I'd nip to the shady part of the house for a few deep breaths (maybe an illicit ciggie) before joining them.
Now I have a house full of surly twenty somethings and teens, all moaning about the noise from the children playing next door. And Dad is just some old duffer who does recovery duty when they run out of petrol.

My eldest is 4 so lots of stages to go but DS2 is 5m, and I have loved 3-6m with both of them, they are not so teeny you worry all the time, they are all cuddly and gurgly, you don't have all the weaning mess, and they stay where you put them.

All ages have challenges. Younger years much harder in terms of them needing lots of attention but this was made up for by the sweetness and the feeling of being needed. Love them now (13 and 16) as they are such good company but miss being their whole world!

I don't miss the non-stop fighting/bickering that used to happen up to about 2/3 years ago!!!

Now, they are teens and I enjoy their company. Baby and toddler stage is exhausting, once they were out of nappies and could communicate it got easier.

Before they become mobile, then when they start to talk and then teenage and upwards.

Mine are 8 and 6 and I love it now. They crack on with things themselves, they generally eat what they're given, they do activities with me and DH that we don't find mind numbingly dull. DS1 is particularly good company, quick witted and funny. He comes running and walking with me and our chats are brilliant.

I loved those first magical days as newborns, but to be honest after that was horrendous for years. Neither of them slept through until after 4 years old, we had to navigate the diagnosis of DS1's ASC and all the worry that went with that. We couldn't eat out because DS2's behaviour was awful until he was 5. I didn't really enjoy playing what they liked (who does enjoy 4 hours of hide the superhero figures?)

Now I've got my career back on track and a bit of my life back, I enjoy them more.

Mine are really genuinely goid company niw at 8 and 10 - I can think of no other people that I have more fun with and they are getting easier to look after although don't get me wrong, we still have our moments

Definitely not now ( DD is 11 & doing an excellent Kevin The Teenager impression lol 🤣🤣) I think around age 6 to 7 was the best so far. DD was really loving & put so much effort into things like Anniversaries. These days she barely goes to the trouble of a card. Father’s Day was a non starter 😢

Definitely newborn!! So snuggly and cuddly and cute! I love both my boys and each age has something special about it.

22, 20 and 14 is lovely 😁
10mth of gd is a joy that I can hand back too

Every age. So far. Newborn was best. But they are so much fun and much easier now. And so full of character.
Ages 6, 4 and 2. I miss them being cute constantly, but they are still cute.

For me it gets steadily easier and more fun each year so far

Age 1-3 is my absolute favourite so far. I just love everything about it. And my kids don't sleep! Lack of sleep isn't a huge issue for me.

7-10 was pretty nice as well :)

@usethedata how old are yours?

Love newborns as well - the way the world stops and it's just all about them.

I don't mind parenting, it's trying to combine it with coping with general life that's hard IME.

12, 9, and 1!

The 1 year old is much easier with the help of the older two

Mine are 15 and 19 now. I enjoyed 6m to five years most.

I enjoyed it from the beginning, didn't think I would.
Still enjoy it now they are grown up, you never stop being a parent.

18+

No, i love teenagers. 12 - 18 are the best years.

DD is 7 and I have found so far that I have preferred every stage to the previous one.

I'm enjoying now especially because we have some mutual interests but she's still cute and funny.