What’s life like if you have kids aged between 4 and 10?

[Tiredallofthetime]

Finding the toddler stage hard going … there is light at the end of the tunnel, right? <smiles weakly>

DDs are the older end of 5 and 3 and I just feel like life is getting a bit easier. Certainly after DD1 turned 4 I really noticed the difference so I'd agree the turning point is probably around the time they start school.

But even now with DD2 being almost 4.... she's toilet trained so no taking the nappy bag out, we don't need the pram anymore, she sleeps through the night etc. DD1 is almost 6 and an absolute breeze.... I can ask her to get herself dressed for school as I sort breakfast, she's lovely company on days out, she's happy just colouring for a while or can put some cartoons on the TV herself and happily watch those for a couple of hours on a weekend morning.

DD2 starts school next September and although I'll miss her terribly, I know from experience with DD1 that they really seem to grow up and life gets easier.

Oh I needed this thread. I'm pregnant and have a 3yo. The 3yo doesn't sleep through the night and needs a lot of attention, and will find any way to try to kill herself if you leave her alone for more than 2 minutes.

She goes to a school nursery, so I'm already dealing with primary school hours /holidays so that won't get more difficult.

I'm very much looking forward to having children who are 4-10, as much as I love the baby/toddler stage I'm just so bloody tired!

Clinically? Yes, a bit... I have 1, 4, 14 year olds and the 4 year old is the hardest. However I really thought the last year would be hell but every minute of it has been brilliant.

I have got a 11 and 8 year old. Life is a lot busier than the toddler stage. I remember the preschool and early primary school years with a lot of family day outs in the weekends. (There's a thread about weekends and toddlers). It gets incredibly busy and much harder to juggle when they get older. Both of mine want to be in a lot of clubs. Music lessons are after school only so you'll need to drive them there if they want private music lessons. The weekends are sports and clubs, and there might be music groups too. Activities goes on till much later so be prepare to lose your whole evening. DH and I both work full time, but have drop off at activities almost every weekday, and both Saturday and Sunday.

On the other hand, they become independent quite rapidly towards the end of primary. If you invite their friends over, you don't invite the mums and they entertain themselves. Parties are much less frequent and is drop and leave.

My DC are grown up now but I absolutely loved the primary school years, for me there’s no comparison with the toddler stage of life.

I hated age 3 with a passion. He was much nicer by 4. He's mostly lovely now at 6. He's fucking hilarious at times and is fun to hang out with.

I've also got a 1 year old so I've gotta go through it all again!