To ask if you enjoy the company of small children (preschool sort of an age)

[Mightneedencouraged]

I really don't which I feel bad about because they're usually trying so hard but my GOD they are boring and effortful.

5+ a different matter, you can have a good chat and they can do activities.

I’m not interested in other people’s children to be honest. And I don’t expect anyone to be interested in mine.

The most difficult bit is 2ish till starting school. Love babies, teens, primary age dc - the worst bit is 2 - 5.

Ah - a pp makes an excellent point - I am talking about my own dc, not anyone else’s. Small doses only of other peoples’ dc, even ones I am related to.

I think toddler/pre-school age is wonderful in many ways (although admittedly bloody hard work too!) They are doing so many things for the first time, learning and discovering the world in such a magical and innocent way, always come out with the cutest things and can be so naturally loving and imaginative.

I find babies quite boring, I loved cuddles with my own but I don't get all the cooing over other people's. I love 1-5 year olds, I think they're so much fun. I prefer them to adults. They have no inhibitions, no judgement, no mind games, they're just who they are. I love watching them learn something new too which happens a lot in that age group, new words, figuring out how a toy works, getting to the top of the climbing frame.

I have 3, 5 and 8 to and I think toddler / preschool is relentless in their needs but alis super cute and easily pleased compared to when they get older. I dread teen years!

Older the better for me.

I'm horribly MN sexist - but I have no tolerance for boisterous boys - especially 2-8 year old whirlwind sorts.

Kids I can talk to/make stuff with/play with so love spending time but not the climbing the furniture, hitting things with sticks lot.

ND family, were very much thinkers, so I think the really physical type of people are just too different of a wavelength. Very stressful for me.

I used to enjoy working with that age group and when my nieces and nephews were growing up 3-5 was always my favourite stage. I always loved the type of play they did at that age. I was good at joining in, was always able to make them laugh, had a lot of patience, felt energised being around them etc.

With my own though - totally the opposite. It’s such a relentless, hard stage that left me no energy to be fun.

It’s a lot easier to be full energy for short bursts a day (or even an entire work day) when you are going back to normal life with no preschoolers at home. Theres something about how constant it is that I find really draining. I found it enjoyable only in the sense I love DC so enjoy spending time together but ten minutes of playing shopkeepers felt like an hour and the feeling of relief at bedtime was immense. I always told myself not to wish the days away but the intensity combined with monotony sent me a bit mad.

I love babies, but hate the toddler stage (why are they always trying to hurt/kill themselves? Where does all the rage come from? Why do we have to teach them the most annoying songs and rhymes known to man?)

The ages 5-10 are gorgeous, you just wish you had more time to spend with them.

There's a wobble between 12-14, when they go through a rough time with hormones and brains completely re-wiring, working out who they are, etc.

Then 15-21 they are the most interesting, tallented and funny people you know.

I don’t have little children in my life any more - I miss it.

I absolutely loved that age. And still enjoy kids who aren’t my own who are that age.

5+ is much less enjoyable. I only like my own, and even then it’s not my favourite stage. Am looking forward to the teens.

Agreed! Needy kids are great. Needy adults are insufferable!

I dont want to be around kids at any age.
And i hate parents that bang on about their kids none stop.

My own, yes absolutely. Fascinating little people, just starting to learn about the world and themselves separate from me. Full of odd observations and questions, hilarious little critters. mine are well past that age now and I miss it.

Really fucking glad I’ll never have to endure Chuggington again though.

I love toddlers; they are so excitable and their personalities really develop. They are so much fun! My first was a calm and placid one, my second was a total nutter. We used to call him demolition man. Babies are boring and I found the teen years hard emotionally.

I have teenagers - and I'll swap them for the way they used to be at 2-3-4 in a heartbeat. Really!
The sweetness and innocence. The needing you and thinking you are their world. The simple joys and playfulness. Etc.

I have a 21 month old, and I'm loving this age. It's just so fun watching them learn and interact with the world. They're also just so funny, like little drunk people.

I am one of those people who ADORE babies, especially like 0-9 months ish. I will always hold your baby. I would always like to see a photo. I just think they're lovely and want to kiss their mushy cheeks and cuddle them on my chest.

I loved every single ages and stages with my ds growing up and I love babies and children of all ages. I have worked with different age children and yp all of my working life as a TA, been a Brown Owl and Rainbow leader, ran a children's drama group etc.

Love them! I was a SAHM for 10 years, returning to work when my youngest started school. I felt privileged to be able to spend those precious years with them.
I had a long and very successful career in early years education and since I retired I’ve been doing regular childcare for my numerous DGC - it gives me so much pleasure to be such a big part of their lives.

Hell no. Boring as heck.

Yes, I love 0-6 months, found 6 - 12 months tricky when they are trying to walk etc and constantly falling, getting frustrated, then once they can walk and stating to talk love it! 2-5 is my favourite age! Teenager 13-15 has been my hardest age!