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

2-4 were the hardest for me but from 4.5 she changed completely for the better, more loving, kisses. When she reached 5 told her 'you can stop growing now'.

3-5
They're not as interesting as babies who are changing and learning every day.
They are sticky, grubby and have to be checked for poo before sticking fingers in your mouth or stroking your face.
Tantrums!
They bore you off with incessant chatter about Peppa Pig/The Tweenies/Horses

Around age 12. Hormone surge, aggression horrible

Honestly - there hasn't been a time when I didn't enjoy being a parent - the hardest part has been the empty nest syndrome - I would say it's only in the last 2 years I have stopped missing my role as a hands on dad and all daily the contact - my youngest DD finished uni last year - a 6 year course. FB messenger/WhatApp helps. I felt quite lost without them for a long time so that has been the worst part by a long way. Also one of my daughters was seriously ill - that was hard but I it was good to be there to see her through it all - I felt like I still mattered.

@Rainbowsparkle

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.

So very sorry. That is one of the hardest things a parent can face X

Newborn and around 3-4 years old. Newborn because neither of my children slept so i was exhausted and 3-4 as they were both constantly on the go and didn't stop talking at this age.

Newborn. Crying, shitting, puking, not sleeping. Utterly boring. Hate it

My oldest is 4 now and was an awful 2 year old. I'm praying to God that her younger sister will be better because I'm not sure I can cope with the constant screaming tantrums again.

I love the newborn and baby stage for the cuddles, and 4 is pretty good fun so far!

Depends on the child, my eldest with SN a nightmare at any age. My youngest, a little more difficult in early teens but an angel if compared to eldest.

Struggled with 0 - 8 weeks

Once they smiled and knew who I was I found it easier

Really really enjoyed it from about a year

15 and 16 now. Utter delight so far 🤞

12-18 months to about 3 years. Loved the baby stage, loved the older end of preschool, absolutely loving primary school stage…. But my blood runs absolutely cold at the thought of a toddler again.

In a perfect world I’d have a three month old for a few years. Then a primary school child for a few years. And then they’d turn 25 and leave home as lovely fully fledged adults!

Dd slept through from 2 weeks old. No toddler tantrums, nothing. Then she turned 4. Dark times those fucking fours. I'd happily have given her away. She's 14 now and this is a breeze . But 4! Oh my god she was horrible.

Thank you. It’s awful. Covid plus him being male has made getting help a million times harder. I don’t really sleep any more. 😔

If the tantrums have suddenly come on it sounds like your 7yo is reacting to the imminent sibling arrival

Age 1-2yr definitely.

Teenage years, my dd14 has steadily gotten more hard work since she was 12. I'm dreading ds10 being a teenager

15

@CorpusCallosum no it’s because we moved house and ruined her life. She’s very excited about impending little brother!

15-17 (the ages of my 2dds 😂) - they’re lovely kids but one in particular has struggled with mental health quite badly (is currently receiving external help and support) and the worrying is relentless. The older one lives in a world of her own, it must be lovely there
They’re great company, hold good conversations, lovely manners etc but jesus the worrying is just horrible.
My younger one is at a great age.
I genuinely enjoyed all the stages from newborn upwards. They were all easy(ish) as baby’s and although there were the obvious sleepless nights, teething, poonamis etc they didn’t have tantrums or bite people or anything else leaping out at me, they were just really placid chilled out kids.
I’d do it all over again with them if it meant I could fast forward through these years?!

I’d say worst bits for me with both children were 3.5-4, when they were at their most shouty, unreasonable and unpredictable. I loved the baby stage - sleep deprivation aside- cuddles, feeding, naps 😁 and I love the early school years (so far).

The first year definitely. Sleep deprivation, nappies, weaning, carting endless paraphernalia and frankly just so boring

It's been looking up ever since then even the teenage years are enjoyable so far (touch wood)

12 or 13 to 15. Their hormones drive them mad and they are unpredictable. Sitting glumly at the breakfast table one day, but perfectly chatty the next.

All that separation and individuation leading to limit testing.

But you gotta love them.

I hated the crawling/toddling phase - can't take them out as they are too wriggly to sit still but they can't crawl on the floors anywhere in public! Fortunately that didn't last very long. DD is now 8 - the last four years have been great. Tough in different ways, but I've loved it.

Not sure. My two eldest are teenagers and are actually really lovely (especially my 15 year old and). I think 7 to 9 was the worst. Sarcastic, answering back, wanted more independence than I was happy to give them.
My youngest is 1 so I'm probably yet to find my least favourite age to parent with him (although the first 3 months weren't enjoyable).

@SheABitSpicyToday well that sounds like it then! I hope she adjusts soon 💚