What ages would you say you are “in the thick” of parenting?

[Thepurpleturtle]

I quite often read on here posters saying things like “I’m not surprised you’re tired, you’re in the thick of parenting” or similar.
What ages are in the thick of it?

Really depends on whether you have neurotypical physically healthy children
Our ‘normal’ children are easy and don’t need much help -they’re a joy
Our child with difficulties will need support possibly for the rest of our lives. We will be ‘in the thick of it’ forever.

Baby-pre school. I definitely haven't felt overwhelmed by parenting since 4/5+. It's still demanding, spending half my life as a taxi driver, but it's nothing compared to physically keeping them alive.

I have a toddler and a teenager, physically im in the thick of it with the toddler but emotionally it's definitely the teenager.

You think it’s pre school age.. until you have teens!

Mine and 6 and 8 and definitely turned a corner at 4 and 2 - I'm fully expecting it to get worse again in a few years!

I agree with all of it 🙈

Teenagers. Holy Cow I wish there had been a book called "KEEP YOUR FEKKIN POWDER DRY FOR A BIT GIRL, THEY GET WORSE" In addition to helpful guides for raising babies and toddlers.

Mine are 6 and 9 and it is a million times easier now!!! They sleep (HUGE one), they toilet themselves, feed themselves, entertain themselves and are really good company most of the time.

I LOVED the primary school years.

From when the eldest is born until the youngest is about 7 or 8 I reckon.

10-22. Years.

@Avarua

0 to 6 12 to 16

This, and the teens are the hardest of all (sorry)

My dd is 15yo and this has been the hardest stage of parenting so far by a mile.

So I'd say now.

0-4 or 5 ish depending on the child.

puberty.

depends on the child really.

I’ve found it gets easier once they are in their 40’s 😃

Well, it totally depends on how many children you've got and what the age gaps are, doesn't it?

Mine are 22, 20. 18 and 16 and I still feel in the thick of it !!

13, 9 and 8 year olds here - still in the thick of it, I think their needs just change. I used to think it gets easier as they get older and in some ways it does but in other ways it gets harder.

O to 7. I have a 14 year old and a six year old. The six year old is way more demanding and exhausting.

I'd say 0-4 were the hardest in terms of just having to be with them all the time. As they get older the challenges are more complicated (friendships, school work, devices etc) and I definitely worry more about how they'll turn out. That said, when they're being utter dicks at least I don't have to spend all day with them .

It gets easier once they are in junior school I think. I also found the small baby stage easier than toddler as they stay where you put them and there was not much that milk/clean nappy/cuddle wouldn't solve. (I know some people have very unsettled babies and that will be a different experience)

Teens has been absolutely shattering BY FAR as they are less compliant. I would say teen girls are worst but only in my experience and my social circle.. The constant emotional explosions, physical threats some times,misbehaviour and routine settings. It takes up all my time outside of work.

Until about 7/8 years old when they generally become a bit more independent and can do so things for themselves.

I sort of feel that 'parenting' comes later. When they are young, it's more the physical, keeping them fed/watered stuff that's all-consuming and exhausting. When they get older you start dealing with 'life' issues. I'm not sure that makes sense but I'm finding parenting a teenager far more complicated!