What have you found hardest in the first 3 years?

[Swirl]

Am in middle of potty training DS1 who is 2.3yrs and am finding it completely draining/frustrating/a real rollercoaster. It got me thinking about the challenges we've overcome so far - for me the first weeks of breastfeeding were brutal and the hardest thing I have come through with him (did end up loving it and breastfed until 6 mths), with the sleep training I had to do at around 5 months coming a close second . I keep telling myself if I got through those then I can handle the potty training. Just wondered what anyone else has found hardest.

the vicious toxic tummy bugs dd brought home last winter.

sleep deprivation
budgeting/lack of money

another vote to ditch the potty-training for a while.

sleep deprivation and bleeding, cracked nipples

oh yeah, I forgot getting an infection in my stitches and spending Xmas morning on my side with my legs in the air while the midwife got up close and personal with a magnifying glass and a pair of scissors

The whole shock of being a parent ...
The first year was awful ... didn't know what I was doing ... PND and all that.
I found DS's inability to sleep the required 12 hours the hardest thing to handle. He has never slept that long, ever ... 10 hrs is a good night for him.
I found toddlerhood a breeze ... loved it ... he was such a chilled toddler ... I have found 'parenting' more of a challenge from the age of 3.5 to 5.5 ...
Re. potty training ... ditch it ... honestly, ditch it. Life is too short and why put yourself through the stress and hassle of it. She obviously isn't ready yet. I tried DS at 2.5 and it was awful for 4 days. I then ditched it and tried again just before his 3rd birthday and he got it immediately and I can honestly say he only ever had 2 accidents.

the first 3 years

I second it for the whingeing - it goes through my brain and I HATE it! I hate losing my temper and shouting (which happens daily here!) - but haven't found a way to stop myself.

I'm also with the delay the potty training brigade! 2y 3m is a bit youung - I know lots who have done it early and it is MUCH more stressful. I left DS till 2y 10 and it happened very easily.

With DS1, it was definitely feeding (I mean getting him to eat a decent diet, not spit it out etc.) DS2 is a lot easier (so far, touch wood).

Potty training was no problem but I didn't do it till he was around 2.9. IME boys are older than girls when they get this. It's harder when you try and do it before they are ready for it.

After 3, things get a lot easier - I think because you can actually communicate with your child and he/she can talk back to you - you can have a conversation rather than trying to guess what he/she wants. And you can start to reason with them.

The it all goes out of the window again once they start school and get cheeky/answer back/comment on the size of your bum etc.

I've heard 7 is a nice age for boys. Can't wait.

OOh yes, forgot the thing that nearly put me on Prozac - DS1 was a brilliant sleeper until he hit 2 and then suddenly we had about 3 or 4 months of refusing to go to bed, screaming, waking up in the middle of the night screaming etc. God it was a total nightmare. But it passed. seems so long ago now - and it's only 3 years.

If the potty training is that stressful, I'd advise forgetting all about it for a while. It's not worth it IMO. 2.3yrs is really young for a boy IMO.
Sleep deprivation
Getting a diagnosis for ds
Finding suitable childcare
Dealing with ds when he is in oppositional/impulsive mode (ie grabbing the camera of the poor photographer who came here to photograph dd (and supposedly ds but he was IMPOSSIBLE). Poor woman was pg with no2 and I think I've totally put her off.
Aaargh.

DD being diagnosed with a rare genetic condition at 6 weeks that we were initially warned could take her life...
Everything else has been a walk in the park since that was overcome.

Definitely don't stress re: potty training. Waited until both mine begged not to wear nappies anymore (mainly because I am lazy and couldn't handle stress of wee everywhere) and we had almost no accidents!!
My own sresses have been sleep deprivation & colic. Followed by ds having a million tantrums a day after his sister was born & his father left us.
Have to say that now youngest is 3.5 and eldest nearlly 6, it does seem a lot less stressful & quite fun & enjoyable alot of the time.

Happy Christmas Enid! Eek.

establishing breastfeeding
sleep deprivation
falling out with my mother and my sister shortly after ds's birth when they bullied me (made up now, though)

the newborn stage for first baby - when you're feeding every 2 and a half hours for 45 minutes at a time. When you realise your life is no longere your own and you can't sleep/eat/go out when you want. No one ever prepares you for what it's really like

1)Breastfeeding.
2)Sorting out childcare.
3)Going to work every day with DD saying please don't go.
4) Hairwashing. DD now 2.9 and finally stopped being hysterical.

I potty trained at 2.7 and it was easy, I waited until she was older as heard it is eassier then, and worked for me.

No sleep..endless feeding...colic..kidstuff EVERYWHERE..dad gone to footy yet again..no help..going back to work..pregant again..no sleep..and the cycle went on and on...now I have two teenagers..which is worse?At least you know where they are when they are babies;in your arms!

Its great to know I'm not alone then in finding this parenting lark a challenge! Have thankfully made big progress on the potty training as just when I was ready to leave it, it just seemed to click for DS, and he is now happily waving his potty offerings under my nose on a regular basis It makes all the heartache worthwhile

morning sickness + toddler. Seem to rememebr watching lots of teletubbies...

pregnancy
trapped wind (in baby..!)
toddler tantrums.....agggghhhhhhhhh
trying to deal with baby and screaming toddler
tiredness
worry (of everything these days I find)

coping with tantrums !
and not understanding 2.9 yr old (not talking yet)
more stressful than dd being oxygen dependent till she was one,and her being special needs.

Breastfeeding
Sleep Deprivation

The hell that was childbirth second time (1st time piece of p^ in comparison)
Sleep deprivation
loss of freedom to just Go Out without nappies/wipes/toys/blah de blah
lack of privacy/headspace/time to think
being covered in crap ALL the time, I was FILTHY for years. Still am if I'm at home with dd.
Tikkabloodybilla
non verbal communication
illness when they can't tell you what's wrong

God, it's a long list but I love them once they're four, honestly! I love them anyway but ykwim I hope.

Fatigue