To so what’s your least favourite age to parent?

[SheABitSpicyToday]

My sister hates the newborn and toddler phase.

I loved it and now have a nearly 7 year old and am ashamed to admit I hate it. Have another own due in a few months and am worried about giving both enough time as the 7 year old seems to need me so much more than I anticipated.

Anyone else feel the same way? My dad said I was horrid from 6 till about 21 so that’s a long time

OMG teens! Give me babies, toddlers and primary school age any day rather than emotional teens with peer pressure.

I find between 1 and 2 really hard, yes they are cute but also destructive and into everything, it drives me mad! Once they get to 2 they seem to settle down and start to actually play with things nicely.

I loved all the ages - they all have their different magic - but I am ecstatic about never having to potty train again.

I have three DCs, 5, 8, and 14.

Without question, (so far) the worst age with all of them has been from around 18 months to about 3.5 years. Unable to be reasoned with, no sense of danger, can’t take your eyes off them for a second, wake up stupidly early, still in nappies/not properly dry at night, can’t leave the house without a massive bag of stuff including two outfit changes, soggy rice cakes stuck to the bottom of every handbag.

Fuck those years so much. I’m so glad I never have to do them ever again.

I don't think anyone can really answer this question properly until they gone through the teen years .
It very nearly broke me!

Physically the toddler years but mentally the teenage years. It’s been a Rocky ride for my two and they’re only half way through 😕

Teenagers are the worst!!! Before teenage years arrive parenting is a doddle!

Newborns up to when they can sit up. And hormonal teens!

Newborn 0-6 months.

Have dd who is 5.5 years and DD who is 6 weeks and I'm struggling with this phase again

I found 3 years old a particularly difficult time with my step son. It's like he finally clicked on that I wasn't his mum so he didn't have to listen to me which was tough when I was trying to stop him doing something dangerous or hurt himself. He's 5 now and although he demands a lot of my attention, it's a easier relationship.

From around 1 month to 10 months for me - DS had colic, slept terribly & started teething at 3 months so was a horrendous time.

Going back to work & sleep training was a game changer.
Now he's 6 &, aside from a few tantrums, he's a joy to be around.

My eldest is 11 and so far I’d definitely say 7 was the toughest age. My DD’s were bloody awful at 3/4 years old too, all fine at 2 weirdly but horrible once they turned 3! 7 was the toughest though, they suddenly became awkward about having photos taken and just embarrassed by everything. They were like mini teenagers at 7, really stroppy.

My DS is only 1 and I can already say I don't think I will ever hate any stage as much as I hated the newborn stage. Cmpa, colic, nonstop screaming.
I have a totally different child now and currently love being a mum.

13 is currently killing me. She's lovely and funny and semi grown up and can be amazing to talk to, but those times are few and far between at the moment although she's a lot better than 6 months ago. The temper and the tantrums and swearing and door slamming are off the scale. I find that really hard to deal with. I'll take any age other than this.

I've just had an hour of my 3yo, 2yo and 5 mo all crying hysterically at once. This thread has been very reassuring that it does get easier 😀.

Teens. Without a doubt.

6-12m was a bit annoying with them being constantly cross at being babies - grumpy that they couldn't crawl/walk, frustrated they cant talk etc.

I quite liked 2-3 with DS, 3-4 was harder for pushing it behaviour wise but he got better by age 4.

1. Awful.

Teenage for sure

Newborn is really really tough.

I'm (mostly) really enjoying parenting teens. primary age is quite dull I think.

DD is 3. So far, newborn. I thought I would love it the most, being in a little love bubble of snuggles.

In reality I didn't get the love rush, worried about when it would come (it did, gradually), felt overwhelmed but didn't want to show it because I didn't want anyone to think I was a crap mum. Sleep deprived so felt like I was wading through treacle. Learning everything, worried about everything. The shock of life completely changing, Mummbra mum was here now and MummBra the woman seemed far away.

It wasn't completely crap, there were lovely times too but most of the time I was too knackered to really take them all in.

I'm loving 3 though, I can loosen the reins a bit and enjoy the little girl I see emerging from a toddler.

I am SO glad I read this tonight.

I am currently have a 3mo and a 3yo. I feel like I am losing my mind. Every. Single. Day.

So relieved to hear it isn't just me and that this may actually get easier.

Oh and if one more person tells me to "enjoy them while they're little".....

I'd have to say the last couple of years with my DS has been the hardest. He's 18 now. It's all the big decisions that need to be made, subjects to study, what they'll do leaving school, trying to get driving test passed, building friendships, getting a social life, getting a part time job and all done with Covid restrictions. You just want the best for them but realise they have to make their own way in the world. I wish I could go back to when he was little, life seemed so much simpler.

I’m unusual as I loved the new born/ toddler stage, im finding mine getting harder the older they get

Hardest time for me has been teenage years. My 17 year old has anorexia and it’s been way more stressful than any other stage.