When does parenting get easier?

[rubyblue]

Feeling like it is a huge challenge at moment, do is four and dd is 22 months. They are pretty good but the usual fights, tantrums etc. I just feel like it is a struggle to get through everyday and I can't wait until they are In bed. Nothing new there I know but sometimes I regret having them. I daydream about life per kids, even per dh when I lived in my own flat, alone, clean and tidy and with time and head space to think.
When does it get better? I can't see how it will. It just feels like that's my life over for the next 20 years. And sister makes me feel worse by moaning about teenagers and how bad that stage is.

Give me hope!

My mum still worries about me crossing the road and will take my hand ( I am a 45 year old Police Officer, so know a little bit about roads!).

Very much easier now they are 11 and 14 and can look after themselves for the odd hour.

Generally I found once DDs could talk it got better because they don't get so frustrated with mum not getting it right.

Being able to dress and shower themselves and do up their own shoes is a great improvement.

I'm still waiting for them to learn to read a clock and be ready to go out without nagging.

Mine are 8 and 6 and they are "easy" in that their problems are what I can relate to better and their ability to argue/debate/negotiate does make life a bit saner. They understand threats and bribes.

I agree though about different rather than easy. I have heard it said "bigger children bigger problems" and I can see how that's going to be true. It's clear that a toddler should not bite another (though of course how you deal with it is not so simple), but when it comes to less black-and-white issues it will be harder ... I like the quote from Ice Age III - "You do not eat other people's children", and that sums up the straightforwardness of some of the problems one has to deal with when children are little. Not looking forward to internet/drugs/sex etc etc when they are more grown-up!

Maybe when they're adults it will be enjoyable - when they have their own house.

Then they'd go and marry an inappropriate person and we'd be on MILsnet or FILsnet saying how difficult our children are and when is it ever going to get easier. And someone would then point us to this page.