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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Or is parenting newborns the hardest job in the entire world?

463 replies

babyblues21 · 02/06/2021 08:07

Is it just me or is the newborn stage really hard. I mean like really, really hard, with very little back in return. I love my 6 week old baby so much, I really truly do. But when does this get easier and more enjoyable?! I find I'm just overwhelmed and irritable most days.

OP posts:
imsoverytired83 · 09/04/2022 20:09

It depends on your newborn. Mine slept so i spent my lovely first maternity leave swanning around. I found the toddler age much harder and then having a toddler and a newborn almost finished me off. Now they are school age they fight like cat and dog and i wish for that toddler and baby stage again.

I’d wait until you’ve had all the stages until you decide which is harder., personally i am dreading the teens

Original poster
babyblues21 · 09/04/2022 20:15

@imsoverytired83

I've just updated about this and I did say the same thing originally when I posted this last year. I have a 16 year old as well. The newborn stage is still my least favourite.

OP posts:
Bizawit · 09/04/2022 20:22

[quote babyblues21]@imsoverytired83

I've just updated about this and I did say the same thing originally when I posted this last year. I have a 16 year old as well. The newborn stage is still my least favourite. [/quote]
I think if your first is 16 your more like a first time mum again tbh. I think when you are still in the thick of parenting a toddler and you have a newborn again, you find them completely delightful and easy.

Bizawit · 09/04/2022 20:23

*you’re

Bluepolkadots42 · 09/04/2022 20:27

It is hard and relentless and you're usually running on next to no sleep constantly. However as a PP said - it isn't the hardest stage in my experience. To be honest every stage comes with its own rewards and challenges. Go easy on yourself and know that it is very normal in any stage to think to yourself fucking hell when will this bit end?! (And then before you know it it has ended and.youre at the next stage looking back and thinking hey where did that last stage go?!)

Heyduggee123 · 09/04/2022 20:31

@Daphnedot

I have twins as a lone parent with no help at all I loved the newborn stage was so easy compared to having 2 toddlers.
I have just turned 3 year old twins, fucking hell the newborn stage was a total breeze compared to now. I look back and think wow that was so easy 😂

Total solidarity with you, and I’ve got quite a hands on husband. Two toddlers is so so hard xx

Timeturnerplease · 09/04/2022 20:38

I absolutely hated birth to walking with DD1 - basically her entire first year as she didn’t crawl. All my friends loved babies and spent ages waxing lyrical about snuggles on the sofa etc with their calm, sleepy babies. I came into my own though in the toddler years, and can stay calm through even the most infuriating threenager tantrum while the same friends are tearing their hair out.

I think lots of parents are either baby people or child people, and equally the temperament of the baby plays into it too. The unluckiest are those of us who don’t enjoy babies and get angry non sleepy ones.

Hang in there OP, your golden age will come. DD2 is 8mo and I’m holding onto the hope that surely we’re only 6ish months away from sanity…

jowly · 09/04/2022 20:42

Yes. It's torture. I kept asking myself what the hell id done to my life.

Hang in there OP

ridemesideway · 09/04/2022 23:51

Hated the newborn stage. The sleep deprivation almost sent me over the edge.
I had a crazed toddler but it was much easier because I can face anything if I’ve had enough sleep.

pleasejustgjvemeabreak · 09/04/2022 23:54

@babyblues21

Is it just me or is the newborn stage really hard. I mean like really, really hard, with very little back in return. I love my 6 week old baby so much, I really truly do. But when does this get easier and more enjoyable?! I find I'm just overwhelmed and irritable most days.

Parenting (some) teenagers is harder! I want to say that you get nothing back from them either, but you do ... attitude!

Seriously, I'd much sooner have a newborn baby to care for. So much less worry!

monkeysox · 10/04/2022 00:39

Toddlers and teens are brutal. Good luck

Newhousesad · 10/04/2022 03:10

On the sleep deprivation side yes. But personally I’ve found parenting toddlers harder. Maybe thats because DS1 has ADHD so was always a difficult toddler

HappyDays40 · 10/04/2022 03:15

I loved our son he came to us at 3 months but I found it awful in a way I never thought of. No more babies for me. I liked 6 months onwards Smile

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