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

[PinkPurplePeacock]

Just wondering. Currently enjoying newborn cuddles

[quote PinkPurplePeacock]@JulietBravo999 thanks, sorry if I came across blunt or whatever, I'm just curious as to what I could expect from years to come 😊[/quote]
I didn’t think you were blunt, don’t worry. They just get better and better, you have years of loveliness ahead!

I remember years ago asking a friend whether it was harder having teenagers, and she thought for a moment and said “not harder, just different” every age has different challenges - but different joys too.

Newborn, 18 months - 3 years and the 12yo is coming into a lovely stage as well :)

I find 3-18 months a bit draining/repetitive although it is lovely seeing them do new things all the time and constantly getting to move them up clothing sizes :o

From 2+ although my oldest is only 4. I found the new born stage a lot of work with very little reward and don't miss that stage at all. Tbh it's just lovely watching them grow into little people with they're own personalities.

Ages 4-9 are my favourite!

So after the newborn/no sleep/constant happy change/potty training/fussy eating stage but before hormonal teen stage

Nappy not happy

I think it depends on the child. DC1 is 14 and I'm really enjoying his company right now, he's an awesome teenager- smart, funny, kind, interesting. Love seeing him grow into a young adult. I am aware this is probably not everyone's experience of teenagers 😂

Really struggled 0-4 with him though, he cried loads as a baby and never bloody slept!

DC2 was a v easy cuddly baby then turned into the tantrummer from hell from 18m till he started school. He's a very funny, sporty 8 year old now so I'm liking this stage the best with him.

I should add, I currently have teens and am actually enjoying being with them, they’re funny, clever and love the same programs I do (I think lockdown came at the right time for us to stay close as a family), but you’ve asked for favourite stage which is why I’ve put 4-9

Always the current one, luckily.

Although I did hate the very young baby stage.

Mine are 4 and 6, nearly 7. Like a pp said, every stage has been better than the one preceeding it. They are so delightful at the moment, oldest is smart, chatty, funny, sweet , youngest is curious, charming, and still slightly squishy and baby-like. Half term was a complete pleasure.

Toddler/preschool and teens...I'm probably a bit weird .

DD was horrific as a newborn, although I can be nostalgic about it a bit now she's nearly 17!

So far 0-18 months and the stage Im at now, 6-10 years.

They’re independent, funny as hell, can make their own breakfast, listen (mostly) and just such great people to be around.

I found anything to do with potty training and tantrums just utter misery.

I was having a cuddle of my friends newborn yesterday and I remembered the hours I spent just marveling at their tiny ears and fingernails. They’re an absolute wonder when tiny, but even know I was singing my 7 year his lullaby and found him gazing at me just like he did back then and it melted my heart.

Ds is only 19 months but so far every stage is getting better and better and I have literally loved it all! He's such an awesome little person and I could just watch him/play with him for hours. He's learning so many words at the minute that he amazes me constantly. Told me he wanted a pancake for lunch yesterday-I had no clue he even knew that word ❤️

7-11 years. Old enough to not worry that they’re going to eat the playdoh and mud but still children, before the angst sets in.
Babies were exhausting and toddlers hellbent on finding novel ways to harm themselves. Then the sibling squabbles started as the younger was forever tormenting the older. Now they seem to get along, which also helps!

Primary school for me, I think, though I do miss that unquestioning adoration you get from toddlers and preschoolers, when they genuinely just want to be with you all the time!

That said, I do also adore watching my 13 year old grow older and wiser. He's a superstar - can't say teenage years are my favourite though because his older brother is breaking me tbh.

Loved the tiny stage and once DD could feed herself and, to an extent, amuse herself. Teen years were (still are, she’s 17) great. Cannot believe my lovely 4lb 5oz baby is joining the Navy within a year.

My eldest has just reached her teens. I can definitely say the teen stage is my least favourite stage so far. (She does have ADHD and ASD so our challenges do tend to be somewhat more than average).

Looking back I think age 5 - 10 was my favourite. No nappies, conversation, sleeping ok and wanting to do things together were all good things. It all moves on too fast.

0-1 then someone else can have them until about 3 then I'll take over agin I find the 1-2 the worst as mine were fussy and frustrated trying to walk, get eating established, start talking. 2-3 the tantrums stubbornness comes in. 3 rationalising starts to happen albeit slowly!

I'd say 6-10 years. DS is 7.5 now and he's such fun company.

I found the first few months of dc1 difficult, namely because he didn’t sleep.

Not sure I have favourite time, though. Each age group brings its own rewards and challenges.

6 till 11

Every minute dragged with them until they hit 4, cute as they were!

I've loved every stage and they are now 14 and 16, hard to pick a favourite but I look back fondly at pictures of them when they were about 2 and 4 and my heart melts! The world is so exciting, and the simplest things are so much fun at that stage. Plus they gave the best hugs then, I have to stealth attack them for a hug now lol
Enjoy your baby!

@Notashandyta why did it drag? Xx

Over ten I would say, but dh (same dc) preferred the preschool stage, but he wasn't home with them all day so got to swoop in and play exciting Daddy while I battled with youngest and sleep deprivation.

So far the teenage years are going well but dh struggles with the fall from godlike status.

when nobody is ill.

I love all the ages, there's great stuff and difficult things no matter how old they are.
(7 kids here, oldest is 19 & youngest is 6).