To ask those with older children - what age did you find hardest?

[annie987]

I was debating this earlier with a friend. We both have similar aged children but completely disagreed on our favourite / least favourite age - she hated terrible twos but liked the teenage years whereas I’m the polar opposite.
This led us to wonder if there is a general consensus out there.
So which age did you find easiest / most difficult?

For me I found 0-3 the hardest. Millions times harder. I like to be able to explain things. And have things explained to me. And then there was always that awful pressure that they will spike a high temperature/stop breathing.

For me, it got a bit easier each year. Give me teens anyday. Mine are now 18 and 21. Lovely.

Following! I have a 3yr old and 2yr old and they're so delicious and sweet! Lovely darlings that don't cause me too much grief, are well behaved and so cute, but fuck I am EXHAUSTED all the time and lockdown has been testing. I look forward to the day I can breathe and have the house to myself a bit without someone hanging off my leg and saying "mummy mummy mummy".

Ignore ^
I've reported myself.
The bit I was trying to copy didn't copy

I was trying to say the first year was hell. Sleep deprivation is internationally recognised as an effective torture.
Add into the mix a baby who was - shall we say 'demanding' and I'm amazed we went on to have any more.

@Littleideasbigbook

Bilgepumper or mess up your clean kitchen, eat constantly, have stinking rooms, shout down headphones at their mates at all hours, grunt at you, and the worse not tell you anything when they are clearly very unhappy. I much prefer a crying baby so you can actually DO something!

Yes all that as well.

Teenagers hence the user name. Not for their behaviour, pressure to fit in, social media, health issues and more others bullying them etc.

I've got boys, 14-17 was a pain! Would probably be younger for girls.
Sleep deprivation when they were toddlers was hard, that 5am waking...I didn't have an unbroken night for 12 years due to bad spacing of children! But when they are little they are so sweet and cuddly, and are so happy to see you . I can remember getting home from work and they'd rush to the door shouting "Mummy, Mummy". Now I'm lucky to get a grunt.
After 17 they can be quite nice again, I do get some hugs now, but not the pure adoration that used to be mine!

Teens were lovely years.
Young adults also fab.

Overall, I'd say parenting got better year on year, with 0 - 1 being the worst and adulthood being the best

Can I say I haven't found any of it easy.... I'm still waiting and DS is 12.

14 - 17 were nightmare years for both my daughters!
theyre both amazing now and we get on really well.

13-16 for girls - absolutely vile.
15 for boys - testosterone overload.

Age 15 I think is the peak. Just got one more to go!

Teenager years all day long!

Age 10 with DS and currently age 15 with DD (which was 50 times worse than DS age 10).

Physically 0 to 5. Emotionally now. DS14, DD11. Think it will get harder too!

@Littleideasbigbook
He does still love you, don’t ever doubt that. He loves you. He’s just an arse.

0 -2 years were the hardest. Loved 4-5 years with starting school and learning new things. My 3 now teenagers and am really enjoying them.

Currently have a 4 month old and she's very demanding, wondering when it's going to get easier

13 to 18 id say.
Selfish. Unreasonable narcissistic twats.

0-1. No problems after that. None of them had the terrible 2s or 3s, and I love teenagers.

They are great adults as well!

Probably newborn to when they slept through. They were very very cute but I do not do well with lack of sleep.

I like teenagers that sleep so I can sleep! I love sleep.

Oh, also toilet training. I hated doing that too.

Best aged 5 - 10 developing personalities learning to do things themselves but still loved mummy and daddy.
Worst? Now when they are in their 20’s. I thought by now they would be launched into the world and adults. Instead they are still totally reliant on us emotionally, practically and financially. MH problems and crap jobs with no prospects. It’s not how I thought it would be.

0-2 was a dream with just one. Then tiredness kicked in with too many years of toddlers 🤯
14-18 as they need more freedom but my anxiety went through the roof. They’re 20s now and just lovely

I kind of like and loathe each age. Babies and toddlers are fucking hard work but very cute. The golden years 5-10 are fun but ours were very energetic. The teens so far are moody but great company when they want to be.

@Fairyliz I’m so sorry that was an unfortunate cross posting. Between the three of them they have one great job one great relationship and one great flat. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?!) not the same child