When did parenting get enjoyable?

[Greencarandbluecar]

Currently have a 3 year old and a 9 month old … it’s hard. I feel pretty drained lol.

I am hoping the oldest might start to get easier at 4 and overall things might be easier when the youngest is 3. Not easy but easier!

As soon as they go to school!

Easier when all at school but still bloody hard even when they are 23!

Soooo much easier when they start school. Dd is 7 now and she’s genuinely enjoyable to be around, she still has her moments but on the whole life is very chill.

Hang in there! You’re right in the thick of it atm!

Just got better and better as time went on for me. I know some people struggle with the teen years but not me.

I don't means it's because they are away from you, but generally by the time they are ready for school, they are generally better at communicating instead of screaming, shouting or getting physical due to frustration. The early years are really really full on, but keep up the hard work, keep firm boundaries (even though it's tempting to give in for a 'quiet life'), but all the hard intense work of the first few years, pays off dividends once they are older. My teens are bloody awesome, they're still humans, they can still give me a headache, but ultimately they are good souls through and through, and I love spending time with them.

Around 5-6 for me. We had several close together and when the youngest hit 5 it was much easier.

I've found this too so far. Our three year old has his moments but largely things are just easier and easier the older he gets.

Thanks … yeah it’s the communication. I can’t reason with them much (well obviously not the baby!) and understanding is limited too. I don’t want to wish this time away but equally sort of looking forward to a bit of time for me!

It's funny how people are saying easier when OP asked about enjoyability 😄

Nothing wrong with wishing the time away! I have no wish to ever go back to preschool years, I loathed it! It was exhausting every second they were awake, going out for the day needed serious organisation and a massive bag of shite! (And I'm someone who packs light, I mean basically a large pocket for a holiday type light).
Nope never want to return to those early days!
But hang in there OP, keep going, stay strong, and you'll have the fantastic, awesome children. My teens have been plotting Sunday! I keep catching them whispering to each other, they've dragged dh in to their scheme as well! No idea what, I just know I've been told to keep the day clear and wear sensible clothing😬😂!

They’re synonymous in a way!

@Obeast True but I definitely enjoy my pre-schooler and parenting in general a lot more now that I'm not lugging nappies and bottles everywhere, so think 'easier' and 'enjoyable' can go hand in hand 😅

Bit of a reset in May when number two comes though!

I had a 3 year gap, every week got progressively better once the youngest was 3years… so I’m afraid you have a bit longer to go. And I’m afraid that the stage when they were 4 and 1 doesn’t even bare thinking about 😂 Think of a 4 year old getting into more sophisticated play and a 1 year old toddling straight through the brio/duplo world etc. 😭😭

Everyone is different in terms of what they enjoy. My best friend loved the small years where she would organise everything and hated the teen years as they forged independence. I’m the opposite!