What age did you enjoy your child at the most?

[HaychEss]

FTM and not enjoyed my baby as much as I thought I would, she’s nearly 6 months now. What age was most enjoyable for you guys?

Primary school ages definitely.

I was surprised that I loved my first maternity leave, and now I'm surprised that I hate the second one. So maybe it depends on your expectations too!

About 12-14m -3.5yrs I really enjoyed. Like just had a good time no real complaints.

I found 3.5 onwards my patience waned / I found myself more frustrated.
My dd complains a lot and gets frustrated. a lot.
All normal stuff...

I had a day out a few weeks ago and was really sad it happened and I realised a 30 sec window of loveliness with my dd was the exception.

It gets a lot easier by the time the get to 3 IMO. A little more independence, ability to entertain themselves a little more, they can use words to communicate what they want, which makes things SO much easier. Mine is 5 now and it’s my favourite age so far. He’s hilarious, full of wonder and energy, we actually enjoy each other’s company now. We can even both enjoy the same film

I have genuinely enjoyed every moment of being a mum to my ds from him being a gorgeous newborn to the fantastic 20 year old he is today and I'm sure beyond . He's amazing and every stage, I have loved in a different way. I love him to bits and we've always been very close as a family. I can't relate to people not "enjoying" their baby but I hope they begin to.

I can honestly say Ive enjoyed every age they have been (4 Dds and a Ds) but would say I particularly enjoyed them as teenagers, and now as adults the most.

age 5 is my favourite. Less hard work, very funny and crazy, but before the attitude kicks in.

Second favourite is about 9 months - when I was able to look up and breathe and enjoy my baby. And they can be less difficult once they are able to “do” a few things and move about a bit.

I can’t comment past the age of 16 though,

The best thing about my second child was knowing that the baby stage wasn’t the best bit and not enjoying the company of babies doesn’t make you a bad mum. For me, from eighteen months there’s a lot more enjoyment. Primary years are great. Hanging out with my teenagers isn’t always awful (though beware the outbursts). Also the sheer physicality of the early years (+ my children were not good sleepers) is knackering. It’s more emotionally/mentally/logistically difficult now

I can confidently say it gets a lot better after rhe stage you're at now.

4-5. I didn’t really enjoy the baby or toddler phase but I didn’t realise that until they reached the ages of 4 and 5.

Ooph, not for a bit. I think 6-8 is a good age. With my first, it was during COVID, so didn’t seem that great, but early teens hasn’t been an improvement yet. 😂 My youngest is currently 8 and I’m enjoying him a lot. It’s just before teen hormones kick in and it all goes a bit funny.

Baby and toddler years definitely not enjoyable though, sorry! 😬

I genuinely loved the first 4 years of DD1’s life from about 1 month old. She was such an easygoing, happy child! 5/6 hit and we had a lot of meltdowns which we put down to lockdown but maybe it would have happened anyway. She’s lovely again now at 12 but we’re getting the teenaged attitude creeping in.

DD2 was such an easy baby up until about a year and then she turned wild! Needed to be constantly on the go and had a lot of tantrums. She’s 5 now and still quite hard work but getting better with her emotions.

DS is 2 now and starting to turn into a little monster. He was so easy for the first 18 months but he’s needing to be on the go a lot more.

To answer your question, my favourite age has to be 1-7 months. I love the cuddles and easy going life.

All of after the youngest was three and half, my eldest is nearly forty now.

3,2 and 4 are the best for me. I love it when they’re old enough to communicate and be a bit independent but still say cute funny stuff.

I found age 1 hard when they’re needy but mobile. And age 6-7 when they start talking utter shite but not in a cute way.

My dd was fab from 4-10 just a delightful child. She was still lovely before and after but harder.

Ds has additional needs so is more complex but he had a lovely easier phase from 5-7.

I hated the baby stage, absolutely awful. So far (contrary to what the “just you wait” brigade told me) 3 has been my favourite age. Talking properly so there’s less of that godawful guesswork while listening to screaming/whining 😵‍💫 as she’s gotten closer to 4 her ability to be reasoned with has gotten better and she’s just more fun to be around in general. I was talking to a friend with a DD a year older than mine and she said she’s found each year better and better as they can do more and you fall in love with their individual personality, as opposed to the love you have for a baby who takes and takes but can’t give anything back. This rings true for me too. Obviously I loved DD when she was born, in that I wanted what was best for her and I would do anything for her, but I didn’t love her like I do now I know her as a person, if that makes sense!

Pre-school was fun.
8 - 10 was great. Fairly independent days out were easy, very little school stress.

So far loved it all (she’s 9) there are always annoying/stressful days but generally loved all stages. I guess the hardest was when she started to walk and didn’t want to sit down 🤦🏼‍♀️
I’m hoping i like the teen years as much…….

Toddler age through til 7, she's 8 atm and not so much enjoying the sassiness and mood swings that come with it! Although I'm told it's normal at this age, and we've had another baby thrown into the mix this past year so that probably has a lot to do with it. Lovely when she's being herself though and we have so much fun at times! Baby stage is just hard and relentless. It's better when their personality comes out and they can interact more.

Teenagers. So interesting to talk to, fresh perspective on the world, you can have adult conversations with them.

Love it.

I'd say 9-11, and then 16+. 9-11 because they can do most practical every day things for themselves, so it's not a huge drudge, but they still want to spend lots of time with you.

16+ because you see the adult they are/are becoming, and feel like you did something right somewhere between all the mistakes.

I love the two and three age! They sleep well, can talk, enjoy days out with them and they are just so happy!! My boys were a delight at that age, I’d go back to that in a heartbeat