Surely 4 is the most annoying age

[roadsweep]

He's relentlessly talking, wants constant stimulation, back chats and just generally doesn't sit still.

I literally cannot wait until school in September

No 14 is the most annoying

Ha! My DS is the same. It's the endless attempts at negotiation that are killing me - you need to wear pants and you need to put them on now, not after spider man. Stop negotiating with me.

That is so sad! At his age he will be absorbing new information and vocabulary like a sponge, be craving input and stimulation, and it’s your chance to lay solid foundations for his intellectual, spiritual and moral education.
I loved that stage with my DDs - we talked non stop, played educational games, had outings, sang songs together, did experiments, began learning musical instruments and foreign languages - it’s so much more interesting than just a baby sleeping in a cot or needing a nappy change.
Try to embrace it, OP, and enjoy it. You will miss this when he’s a cool teen who wouldn’t be seen dead talking to his mother!

I loved that age. They can do so much all of a sudden!

Wait till you meet 5!

Jesus fucking Christ.

Mine is having early teenage syndrome, she huffs and says 'fine' at me when I am clearly being exasperating her. Actually, most of the time I absolutely adore this age, it's just the fussy odd moments (or to be honest hours/day!) I find tough.

Nooo don't tell me that! (Why is five bad?)

My 4yo is currently throwing daily tantrums. So while I appreciate people saying I will miss these years when he is older I won't miss it all. My older children still test me but trying to calm down a hysterical 4yo while trying not to give him what he's demanding but who also lacks reasoning skills is not fun. This mornings issue was that I pointed out his sock was inside out.

It's the constant noise too. Even when he's playing, bless him. That's not his fault, I'm just very very tired of all the bashy bashy noises.

This 100%.

I’d say 12 for girls, but 14 is a good shout.

Ah 4 was my FAVOURITE age with my DSs.
They could talk so didn't get frustrated toddler tantrums. They were more fun to play with and take places.
Wait for the mid teens.

Our 8 year old is exactly the same 🤦🏻

It's like he has a word quota he has to meet each day.

Have loved all ages with my daughter (nearly 6) but yes the last year or so has been constant chatter, a lot of the time about totally random things, and it's always mummy, she never directs the babble at daddy 😀

It's like he has a word quota he has to meet each day

More like they have to use up all the words before the 13-15 age period where you just get grunts and huffs with only the occasional fully formed sentence which is usually a demand for money, a lift and/or food, and which will neither start or end with please or thank you.

I loved 4. Not sure if 3 was particularly tricky or if it was just because of lockdown but I’d take 4 over 3 any day. 5 is a mixed bag so far but I feel hopeful!

There was a long thread here a few weeks ago, the vast majority said teenagers are the hardest age, by far.

4 is amazing! Probably my favourite age. I’m dreading 14 😂

I love 4, but she’s at nursery most days and I have no doubt I’d be struggling if she wasn’t. The incessant talking definitely sometimes gets too much by the end of the weekend though, and my DH finds it harder than I do. I’m not looking forward to school in September because that’s shorter hours and term time only!

The most annoying age is 17.
Year 13 (or the equivalent).
It's nature's way of making the empty nest seem more pleasant.

I think 4 with both mine (1 still is 4) is one of the best ages....! Although my nearly 7 year old on the other hand... amazing and lovely and adore him but oh my goodness there is little time he stops talking!

We didn't have the terrible twos. We had the fucking fours.
Absolute demon child. First year she reduced me to tears. We don't mention that year much.
Five was much better.

6-9 is relatively pleasant. Then ✨hormones and attitude✨

I loved 4. We're now hitting 11 and it's attitude with bells on x 2 for twin girls. they will not stop bickering.