What age is the hardest

[stressingmum]

Really struggling with my 21 month DS he isn't talking yet lots of babbling but everything is just a battle.

So I'm wondering what age I should expect it too get a bit easier?

He doesn't appear to understand any instructions but I'm actually thinking it's more a case of he doesn't want to understand - very stubborn.

I think 18 months til about 3 is the hardest.

@MsTSwift

Totally agree with Rampantivy those threads where mothers of numerous tiny children encourage others that “it’s fine” and “economies of scale” when their eldest is 6 or something. You. Have. No. Idea.

Let us believe it gets better 😂 I remember being a teenager and am prepared for that, but dealing with a toddler is a whole new experience.

I think every age has its pros and cons so I wouldn’t necessarily say one is easier than the other, it depends on the child and what their personality is like. For example some are fussy eaters no matter what the age, some can communicate but still badly behaved and will choose not to listen.

Each age comes with its own battles, you just need to take the good with the bad I’m afraid. Sorry to be so pessimistic but I’m realistic and I know parenting is hardddddd.

I’m finding 12 horrendous but then DD is adopted & has all sorts of issues so she’s maybe not your average 12 year old. I wish she was still little!

Bigger kids-bigger problems.

(I’m childfree, so I get parents telling me how much they hate their lives often, even though I never asked, and don’t care 😄)

The replies vary so much and my partner often says too me it may be hard now for us but later we may have easier days.

I keep telling myself nothing last forever, as a newborn the lack of sleep was challenging but other than that DS was relatively easy.

We are currently, just starting nursery, having a run of illnesses and teething so the stressful hard days are coming thick and fast.

I try everything to get him too communicate and he does engage with us, he has his own way of expressing his needs namely by leading us to whatever it is he wants but has horrendous meltdowns if told no (I honestly think its stubbornness).

The first month was wonderful with all of them. Then it went downhill until the age of 5. Brilliant at 7-8, but I fear it will go downhill again in a few years!