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Original poster

Kids - ages and stages

4 replies

Yumchips · 21/08/2024 21:49

Do you think it's true that some people enjoy the young kids phase more than others? Can anyone share their experiences and which ages they enjoyed with their kids or whether they've always just enjoyed having kids?

OP posts:

reluctantbrit · 21/08/2024 21:57

We loved 6-9 years. Old enough to be fairly independent but still young enough to be happy with mum and dad.

Pre-teens were difficult and unfortunately her teens are marred with Covid and anxiety and ASD diagnosis. We love her and it's fun with her but it is hard work.

I struggled with toddler phase, DD was happy to play a bit on her own but it was a constant need for help, practical and play-related.

Cheepcheepcheep · 21/08/2024 22:04

It’s interesting. Mine are only 2 and 4 but I’m a much, much better parent to them as toddlers/preschoolers than as babies. Before kids I’d have told you I thought I’d be a baby lover and a toddler hater - I’m not good with mess, chaos etc. Turns out that baby life with the lack of sleep and screaming destroyed me, far from the ‘nursing baby while drinking a coffee’ life I had in mind. Tbf the pandemic (first baby) and 2 under 2 (second) may have done for that!

Toddlers I find hard but my god the way they can fall in love with an acorn or the way they want to kiss my cheek off (on the good days!) is worth every tantrum, for me. I’ve told people before that the first six months with each was hell and then since then each month has been better. 48 in with DD, 27 in with DS and long may it continue!

YouAndMeAndThem · 21/08/2024 22:09

See I absolutely loved 0-3... Then the 'f**king fours' started. The bad attitude, the I'm bored, always needing something or other... The questions and relentless talking! Absolutely drains my soul and it's no better at 6 yet either.

middleagedandinarage · 21/08/2024 22:20

I loved the baby stage, it's hard to even explain but that feeling that you are their world, the new born snuggles, the smell or new baby. It just felt like I'd found my place in life. I just wanted to be with them, holding them, feeding them 24/7. But I also felt like every stage was equally as nice or got nicer until about 3 then it went down hill from there tbh.

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