Do you have an age of children you dislike the most?

[SashMontgomery]

I’ve been thinking for a while that somethings going on with my daughter and I and I’ve been trying to find ways to repair our “broken bond”.

But I have just spent a whole week with other kids her age and I realised, I think it’s just this age group that I don’t like very much! I mentioned to my friend and she said she can’t stand the toddler age where’s as that’s my fave one.

Was just wondering if anyone else had preferences like this!

14 to 20 months ish was my least favourite age. Once their comprehension improved, it was all good again but that stage where they are into everything but can't do a little conversation isn't good.

My very favourite age is newborn to 6 weeks though. Pity you can't stop time for a bit when they are brand new!

12-14 nearly 15 was peak for my dd. She's been more than a handful. Just like her friends they just seem at that very awkward age

Mines 8 and so far loved all stages, she's been fab, appreciate we may have been lucky! And maybe just having 1 has helped. Hoping it stays this easy 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Agree with this. Except I'm regrettably not childfree...

0 to 1 by far the worst.
1 to 4 hard work but rewarding.
5 to 28 a complete joy.
Also I dislike all other children than my own which is why I nearly didn't have any.

I agree with you OP on 8-10 years old. They are right know-it-alls at that age.
Luckily secondary school puts them back in their place 😄

Mine are just teens,.give me any other stage, they are far noisier, messier, ruder, more expensive and destructive at the age they are now. I used to think I was a good parent but now they drive me up the wall as everything seems over the top exaggerated which winds me up.

I despised the baby stage until about 9 months, mine were both whingey, constant criers though so it was really mentally and physically taxing, constantly trying to soothe them and keep them happy, and then walking on egg shells to not upset the rare happy/content moments (and I mean rare!). Absolutely loved the toddler/preschool age, they were hilarious and such fun, loved seeing their personalities emerge and how excited and intrigued they were by the smallest thing. Miss having them both home with me most of the time, and the freedom to go on spontaneous days out during the week. Mine are now 8 and 10, and are delightful most of the time. The occasional bit of attitude and high emotions from the older one, but nothing too drastic. Think they're saving it up for the teenage years to be honest, as so far, since the youngest has been over a year old, I haven't found parenting at all hard, they're such easy going kids... And I never would have thought that thinking back to how hard work and high needs they both were as babies! Some of dds 10 year old friends are hard work though, and have been for a couple of years. Seem to be constantly looking for drama, or reasons to moan and strop, so I do think it's quite common for hormones to set in at this age (especially with girls) hoping for a good year or so before it fully hits us 😅

Loved 3/4 to about 6/7 - able to have a conversation but still very much a child, able to be silly and have fun and just sheer joy in magical things like movies and santa etc. Mostly do what they are asked without too much fuss.
Oldest has just turned 9 and the past 6-9 months have been really challenging, she has some good days and some really challenging ones where even the simplest question such as 'what would you like for lunch' leads to a total meltdown.

I find 7-9 year olds particularly irritating

12 to whenever!

Anyone got any tips for dealing with the rudeness, eye rolling, provocative behaviour?

Not all the time, just daily at the moment!

I disliked 12-18 months intensely.

I didn't like 3 with my eldest. My youngest is just three and still lovely.

My eldest is now 8, and I'm hating it.

Newborn is my absolute favourite.

Newborn... Yuck! I'm loving toddler and teach primary so I'm sure I'll enjoy those ages, too.

0-1, 11-12, and 17-18 years have been hardest ime.

My daughter is nearly 15. I thoroughly dislike the age between 13 and 16.
I've worked with children for 20 years, in various roles; and I can confidently say that it is the age and not the individual that I dislike. My daughter does have the additional complexity of being autistic, and everything is magnified because of that (eg, levels of irritation).

Nah, she's just not reached 9 yet 👍🤣🤣🤣

Toddlers and 14-18

Loved the baby stage and from about 3.5 - the end of primary school.

Toddlers are Hard Work, tantrummy and you’re constantly worried about keeping them alive. Teenagers are basically the exact same but bigger, smellier and with even more attitude. They also cost a fuckton.

I’ve got 2 teenagers and an 11 year old. The younger one is bloody adorable but I know what’s in store so it’s very bitter sweet.

As a parent I hated the baby stage- I was bored, isolated and thoroughly unimpressed with my life (used to having an exciting career)
Loved the toddler stage and each year loved it more.
Teenagers is by far my favourite but also most challenging in terms of the lows are lower but are few and far between. I think sleep and hormones (of yourself) is massively impacting hence why I love the teenage years - same drama and irrational behaviour (demonstrated in sarcasm rather than tantrums) but they are so independent and amazing to be around the majority of the time

What I also think you need to take into consideration is where you are with your own happiness- so teenage years for me is great but I am relationship, financial, career and health wise the best I have ever been so it will feel easier IYKWIM

I can't recommend investing in your own support system, find a good group of friends and spend time building a life outside the family - to give you perspective. Get interests outside the family- a hobby, your career etc it will help you mentally endure the hard parts of parenting

@SleepingStandingUp 😭 I'd best enjoy the next 9 months

12 year old boys are the worst. actually maybe 13 too seeing as my 13 year old keeps telling me to “shut up”. (But the 15 year old is more civil these days).

5 year olds are the best.

13 and 14 was my immediate response. I am SO relieved to see so many people put 13 or 13 to 15. Perhaps it isn't me and my kids after all. It is normal and there will be light at the end of the tunnel!!

love my kids at any age.

8-12

Ugh!

Same. 3-10 was just lovely .