To ask what you find/found hardest about being a parent to young children?

[Heepers]

For me, I think it is 100% the broken nights and exhaustion.

Lack of sleep has to be the worst. And I say that with children who are generally good sleepers. But for the times they weren’t, as others have said, it just makes everything else just so much worse. Parents dealing with sustained sleep deprivation have my upmost sympathy.

I agree with a lot of what has already been said. But another thing I find really trying is the lack of logic in small children. My eldest can be reasoned with (in theory) but my toddler (obviously) cannot. I know it’s not his fault and I know I just need to make it a game etc to motivate him to do whatever simple thing is required of the moment. But I find it so draining and resent the time it takes. I mean. Just put your bleeding coat on as it’s sub zero outside. I shouldn’t have to explain why this is necessary!

Losing freedom and spontaneity

I’m a solo parent to an only child, and it’s the constant demands to play, and the guilt that comes with that.

I suspect I have ADD and I hate pushing through the bedtime routine every night. That’s why I’m here on MN right now!

But overall I love it.

Teeth brushing and hair washing! Everything else I can cope with.

Exhaustion in the early days, and when they're ill or sleeping badly for some reason. And abrupt starts first thing. Both of mine come in on the dot of 7:30 (I know that's not terribly early!) and start talking at me (not to me) immediately whether I'm awake or not.

The monotony of some things, like feeding them. Esp when you have a child with food issues of some kind (DD) or you can never seem to get enough in them (DS).

Imaginary play. I hate hate hate it. Give me a board game or a book any day, just don't make me pretend to be a dragon or a dentist or something.

When they argue/fight with each other This one is very frequent in our house and it's hard to deal with because I KNOW how much they love and need each other.

@birdling

The constant needing of you. 'mummy?' 'Mummy?' MUMMY????????' Every few minutes.

This

The launching straight into moaning / whinging before just asking normally / nicely….. just why??

Feeling like you must have had nearly a full day, and realising it's 10am.