What's your favourite stage of childhood to be a parent?

[PinkPurplePeacock]

Just wondering. Currently enjoying newborn cuddles

1-4 years. I’d do all that again in a heartbeat.

I love them at around 6-18 months and 7-10yrs is quite good.

Newborns are lovely but I was very bored and toddlers and teenagers are too much work 😅

Watching with interest.

I’m only up to age 3, but so far I’d say it’s just got better and better (I found baby stage and toddler stage HARD)

Every stage gets better than the last. She's 24 now.

@JulietBravo999 can I clarify you are not including 0-1 in your bracket? If so can I ask why?

My DD is 6 weeks... Just hit peak fussiness, sleep regression and growth spurt but I still adore her... When she sleeps and isn't crying, well I adore her when she's grumpy and crying tbh but it's stressful especially when you're not sure how to make them feel better and are constantly rotating with feed/nappy change/nap options to make them happier again!
This newborn phase is disappearing in a heart beat, I'm missing weeks 1&2 already!

Once potty training is reliably sorted, and they are capable of actual conversation and independent play. I really struggled with the baby phase.

3-5

I loved the period between around 2 and 4 years old. The time when everything is new to them and they love exploring, seeing new things, listening to stories and starting to read, learning to ride a scooter then a bike, learning numbers etc. Every day seemed to be a new adventure just doing "normal" day to day things like tallying car colours, spotting different types of bird, etc.

I think it depends on the child. My eldest was a difficult baby and demanding toddler but is a delightful 5 year old. My youngest is the most gorgeous funny 2 year old.

can I clarify you are not including 0-1 in your bracket? If so can I ask why?

They’re just so fun once they’re on the move and discovering new things all the time, as well as starting to communicate meaningfully. I get very wistful looking at toddlers!

I do love babies too, congratulations on yours

Honestly my favourite stage is always the one they’re in! 11 and nearly 13 now so that may change.......

10 plus. Love it, although before that is wonderful. Baby stage just relentless and terrifying.

Am now dreading DD leaving she is so great. (13)

@JulietBravo999 thanks, sorry if I came across blunt or whatever, I'm just curious as to what I could expect from years to come 😊

I think it's got better and better so far. I found one baby nice but I was a bit lonely. A baby and toddler I found really hard as dd2 was very demanding and a poor sleeper. Teenage has been best so far as they are quite funny and good company and more independent.

My DD is 6 weeks... Just hit peak fussiness, sleep regression and growth spurt but I still adore her...

I doubt there’ll be a point where you don’t adore your own kid! That’s the beauty of it.

I too LOVE 6-18 months, so adorable and tiny but also changing all the time and learning SO MUCH. My oldest is only 6 but I have loved every stage so far.

I'm enjoying the teenage years immensely. Never thought I would!

(As in, even when there are hard phases, you’ll still adore them!)

Don't know yet - I loved when they get to 7-8 and you can start having conversations and really sharing personal jokes and the like.

I am actually looking forward to teens (DD turns 13 this weekend!) because we're already on much more of a level and DD, I think, will be a lovely teen as most are imo. Brother could turn out more challenging, but we have a few years before that.

7-11.

I definitely miss the days when my 3 were small and cute and biddable 😂

But as others have said, every stage is the best. Mine are in the 20s now and are lovely people. I absolutely love being with them.

I'm loving the newborn noises and gurgles and grunts I'm looking forward to the toddler days but I'm not certain of the 6-10 yr bracket but that might be biased based my personal experience when I was that age.

3 is hard 🙈 with 2 of them

Not a parent myself yet but I am an SM, and although I guess there are advantages to the children getting older, for me younger than 4 was just such a sweet age (not for all kids I'm sure!). I just found it a lot easier to spend enjoyable time with baby and toddler-aged children, whereas once they hit 5+ it's more challenging. Lots of cuddles and drawings and teddies and giggles etc etc. Funny little words that they just can't say yet.

My SCs are now 7 and 11 and it's more challenging to keep them entertained than it ever was before. It's sort of a weird in-between time where they're grown-up enough to know what they enjoy and want to do, and certainly to refuse to do things (!), but not quite old enough to enjoy things independently without wanting adult involvement.

PS. Obviously discounted the immense tantrums out of the cuteness there