Hardest age so far?

[BabyLlamaZen]

Newborn was difficult but for me, but 5 months is the worst. Sleep deprived, dc seems do frustrated and unpredictable. I'm finding myself constantly frustrated with him and my life in general. It's making me feel really low and guilty.

I've heard 9 months can also be a bummer! Hoping we'll sail through that one though because this is tough!

What age has everyone else found thr most tough?

Newborn with my first was exceptionally tough. I have forgotten all those difficult phases now from when they were little but have to say that 13yrs is an absolute nightmare!!! Each stage has its challenges but as they grow up the challenges change.

I’ve concluded the only enjoyable ages of parenting must be 5-9....before that it’s a physical slog after that it’s emotional slog!

25 when her long term partner left.
Sorry!

Fools mine are 5 and 8 and I'm enjoying it the most ever. Making the most of it.

I loved newborn - 4 months, they stay where they’re put and can be knocked out with boobs.

Toughest for me has been 8 months to about 18 months, I found having a tiny person with a personality and wants but not able to understand me very difficult!

I’ve enjoyed 2.5 to now (Dd is 3.5) because despite the tantrums we can have chats, and she’s hilarious and helpful!

My son is 2.5 and its just gotten easier the older he's got. Hang in there!

Newborn - by far!!

Everyone warned me 18 months would be horrific but I really enjoyed that stage so I really think it's an individual thing.

I know lots of people love the newborn stage but I'm really not one of those people!

Following as interested to read responses. My baby is 15 weeks and the first 12 I've found hell. The last few have been okay but I'm prepared for the 4 month regression.

CheshireSplat I’m looking forward to it. Still interested in things and loving but can get in the car by themselves!
Only at 2.5 at the moment - bloody awful
My nephew is 12- bloody awful

Guess 5-10months was nice...a little more sleep but could still watch what I wanted to
Tv

Mine is only 22 months so we have a lot of highs and lows to go... But so far 4-8 months was the worst bit by far. I would say it's been pretty much awesome since he turned one, and getting better and better! She says, as she waits for the terrible twos to hit hard, making her regret her smug happiness!

Teen.

Easiest for us was 2 to 7 or 8.
Before that it was hellish. After that it's more complex and scary as the stakes seem higher.

Hmmm.....I’d say I’ve found 8/9 years the hardest age. More so with my DS than my DD. Everything before this was pretty easy but now he’s developing an attitude and has an answer for everything!!

I'd say 18 months - old enough to be 'naughty' but young enough not to understand why he / she shouldn't do that.

Both times so far, I found say 8-12 months the worst. By then the sleep deprivation was really chronic and set in my bones. So much teething. And breastfeeding/ latch problems with every new tooth. And so many developments and frustrations for baby. There was such a change when they started to be able to walk/ talk a bit. Toddlers are physically exhausting but I find it a fun stage, and preschool also has been challenging in its ways but lots of fun.

When I just had a small baby I never believed the people who said ‘just wait til you get to blah blah stage’ - some people would have you believe everything gets steadily worse year on year. Maybe that’s their experience but I think many people either forget the trauma, or have easy babies and don’t know. That said, I’m sure it’s true that older children bring emotional challenges that I can’t yet understand.

It’s all so dependent on your personality and your child’s.

4-6 months and 12-18 months. Now 2.5 and bar the odd tantrum, is an absolute joy.

16, 17 yrs old ...

2 weeks to 5 months were hellish. He screamed all of the time he was awake, and hardly slept. Gradually improved since then and a sudden improvement in his sleeping bow he is 8 months has made him a much happier baby and me a much, much happier mum. I know things can change but I'm trying to enjoy it while the going is good and not worry about the next difficult stage.

I quite enjoyed the challenges of the ages before school. I was on maternity leave on and off and it was great not to have to be anywhere. In fact my favourite time was when ds1 was 4 ds2 was 2 and ds3 was a baby, luckily ds3 was a particularly easy baby compared to ds1 and ds2. As they have got older they have more and more commitments, I am working more and the emotional, social and academic challenges are so much greater. You have also got increasingly less control. BUT you can leave the house without taking a boot full of equipment and dh and I can leave the house together without the kids.

I found newborn to be hell and then it's slowly got easier. DS is 18 months now, he sleeps through the night and can understand me.

Every baby (and mum) is so different.

10-12 months. Horrific sleep regression and was absolutely knackered constantly.

It all got much, much easier from 6 months. Exponentially. She's nearly 2 and a half now and every month is easier than the last (though of course there are hard patches, but for me it's all a breeze compared to months 1-6!

Newborn was the hardest although just before they start moving (rolling or crawling) was tough as DD just wanted to be able to move. 9 months was fine for me. Current toddler stage is hard but as she mostly sleeps I can handle it much better than newborn stage

Newborn through to about 20months, for me.
The sleep deprivation (me) and the not being able to communicate (them).