To think age 5-11 is the best age to enjoy parenting

[Flowers24]

In my experience, yes. Someone once said to me when mine were babies, 5-11 is the most perfect stage, they were right, we had the best times when our kids were in this range, family days out, weekends away, holidays, 2 smiling kids who wanted to be with mum & dad, past the early baby/ toddler bit and before the teen bit, is it just me or is that the best?
Im now in teen and young adult stage , I really miss those days of them being that age, the smiley photos round the house. Now it feels parenting is mainly difficult, with the odd nice bits thrown in :(

Mine are both younger but I can well believe it. Ds1 is 4.5 and is becoming so much easier and good fun, I actively like his company now rather than just love him because he's mine iyswim?

I agree. I found the primary years the easiest.
No reationship/friendship issues, no bullying, no public exams (GCSE and A levels), no UCAS, no social media.

Interesting to see how many say the same, honestly if I could go back id love to re live all that time again, the primary years, no hostility, no dragging them away from screens, no emotional stuff to deal with, its all downhill from there.

I think all ages have their pros and cons.

Mine are 17 and 21. I love the independence and ability to go where I want when I want. I don’t have to think about pushchairs, nappies, feeding times, tantrums etc.

However, sometimes I miss that they go to bed at 7pm and I can go to bed at 7.02pm.
I miss the hugs and affection. Although my 17 year old son often sneaks in to my bed and gives me a quick hug.

That’s about all though. I’d 100% take older kids over young ones.

Yep. Loving life with mine at the moment

Gosh no not for us as I think it just gets better year on year and you see so much of the love and practical help coming back to you once the children get more competent circa 14.
The way our two DC have taken over the reins when needed in everything from busy work times to grandparent illness crisis is astonishing and you realise the independent people you have moulded.
Bloody love them being 16 and 19.

Mine are 16 and 18 and I miss the toddler and preschool years more. I miss having little hands to hold, and carrying tired little ones up to bed, I miss reading to them and peals of laughter at random things.

I love my teenagers, they fascinate me and make me laugh and I love the independence we're getting back. But there's a sadness about not being Mummy any more.

Must hasten to add that they are not perfect and both have had their moments but when push comes to shove they are two of the best people and ones I would choose to have on my team.

3-6 here for me. They were great years with DS1. We were over the baby years and at the fun age before they get a little older and more serious. Life was so easy and enjoyable.

One more year until I get to that stage with DS2 and I cant wait.

DS1 is 7 now and I find things a little too serious and hes getting an attitude.

My 9 year old is just so much fun, very affectionate and very funny. I love watching him growing up, sometimes I think he is like a little old man with his wisdom, he has graced this planet before perhaps in another life.

I am in that stage and I dont see that... lots of dragging away from screen (covid result), negotiation to do homework, grumpiness especially on weekends for activities or trips to parks, lots of nagging to tidy up, get dressed, bedtime etc. Y2 child is very young for his age, sensitive and being bullied by other more boys (they pull his jumper off etc), has 1-2 friends in class (the geeky lot) but desperate for more acceptance, reception one is happier but some odd girl friendship dramas, quite a lot of backchat and "fine do whatever you want then I dont care" type language that just makes my heart sink. Today we went to a park, sun was shining and both refused to take a photo - I said I havent had a smiling photo all year - one of them was grumpy and constantly asking "can we go home now please". There's also some intense sibling rivalry. Dont get me wrong there are also many lovely, lovely moments, but I am very often stressed out by them.

Maybe people romanticize when they go nostalgic? Because I certainly am nostalgic for baby and toddler years atm.

As a mum of a 2 year old that isn’t enjoying being a parent I’m very much looking forward to that age range when DS is more independent and every day isn’t tainted by massive meltdowns!

I think it depends on what else is going on in your life. E.g. marriage, career, parents, pandemic.

I'm finding parenting teens difficult but rewarding, I think teens have had the worst of it with the pandemic out of all the child age groups. But I think its been harder as a parent for those with primary school aged kids. So I can imagine it doesn't feel like they are the best years if you are doing them now!!

Yes I thought this when my Dd reached 5, and I think it now that Ds is in the age bracket you have said - although I’d say Ds didn’t reach the “easier” stage til 6/7, whereas Dd was easier from 5.

My only regret is not really having them both in that bracket at the same time (Dd is now 12 and ds 7 - although to be fair Dd is still lovely!). We just had a fab week away, where I though “yes, it’s all good at the moment”.

Frankly, it's the age I hated most, so we're all different.

I like toddlers and up to about age 5. I then like secondary school and teens when they are getting old enough to be interesting and have 'proper' conversations with.

I was utterly bored with primary school aged children. Nothing worse (for me) than an 8 year old telling me 'jokes' or constantly talking at me.

I preferred my elder 2 as teens tbh. Much more interesting.

Mine are 9 & 13 and I am enjoying it but then I have enjoyed every stage! DS 13 is becoming more independent but is still cuddly, sweet and the same he has always been at home. I enjoy the mix of independence & family life. I think you have to work to keep the family together too.

I loved 5/6 to 11/12 with my two DS.

They were capable of rational behaviour; they were relatively biddable; they were pretty independent in terms of bathing, teeth cleaning etc. Going out for the day ceased to be akin to organising The Normandy Landings.

We basked in what I called the sunlit uplands of late childhood. But I clearly remember towards the later age, suddenly there'd be something that set an 11/12 year old boy off. I stood on those sunlit fields while watching the storm clouds gathering on the horizon.

Then, whoa! Strap yourselves in, everyone! Here comes the rollercoaster!

Our ride, as a family was pretty tame; more Paultons Park than Magic Mountain... and now, apart from the odd out-of-nowhere overreaction; we've survived and are out the other side with a 19 and 21 year old.

Mid to late childhood was definitely the easiest!

I absolutely adore the early baby stage. I live toddlers but they are very hard work, so double edged really, and preeschoolers are fun but still tiring, though not as much as toddlers. That's as far as I've got so far. The most fun age is probably 3-4 for me so far, but the easiest age is the first 6m for me.

Easiest bit was 3-6 months with each of mine . They slept through, only drank milk (no mess) and stayed where you left them!

I've got two preteens now and I do love it for most of the independence, but I am still mum. Things will change fast over the next few years, but it's another new chapter. blanks out prospect of two teenage DDs and the menopause striking at once.

Someone needs to tell my children this (they are nearly 5, nearly 7 and 9).

So far the tiny baby stage has been the easiest, even with PND.

It's the constant bickering that gets to me. Maybe it will be different when the world opens up again.

I agree. Mine are now 17 and nearly 19, but I did enjoy 5-11. No real stress for the dc, dd's mental health problems didn't emerge until puberty, everything was quite chill and I got plenty of cuddles

I think every child has their own best time and each parent will enjoy different parts. Ds1 I hated the baby phase, but adored him as a toddler (he was an early talker and never had a single tantrum, he was an absolute delight) now as a 7 year old he is harder work! Ds2 was a brilliant baby, I didn't even know I had him! He's 22 months now and a total terror, he throws tantrums all day (and night unless he is attached to me!)