What's the hardest age?

[LittlemissMama67]

I'm curious to see what people say is the hardest age. I have 3

(8)(2.5)and 4 months.

for me I'd say 3 was pretty rough. But I'm curious what others think.

When your mum to smalls you think teenagerhood is miles and miles and miles away. A far away world into the future.

The reality is it comes round frighteningly quick.

Agree it’s teenagers.

I have a teen (well to be fair she’s 18 in April). She’s been a dream teen.
17 months to 2.5 ish was the worst for me.

Yes the teen years. The thing is they're still kids but they think they're adults who know everything and you know absolutely nothing. And they tell you this.

You need the negotiating skills that would ensure peace in the Middle East.

Teenager 100%, it's psychological warfare! I mean you love them but you could easily strangle them at times too! 😅

Getting quite nervous and my 5 year old who is already displaying some teenager-esque behaviour 😫 (Always thinks she’s right, lots of huffing and eye rolls 🙄). I’m dreading her actually being 15!
3 has been the hardest age for me so far. DD5 was a nightmare and DS (almost 3) looks to be heading that way too. Hitting, biting, throwing toys, running off, shouting, not listening etc etc! He is very cute though… 😂

Lol!! This makes me laugh (sorry).

You're asking what the hardest age is, and your eldest is 8?

Good luck.

Teens 10%. Although I enjoy the bit of freedom which coexists for myself and my teens, the wit, the widening skills and hobbies, being able to watch proper films together instead of pg rated rubbish.

I found the younger years more physically demanding with less sleep and less time for my own hobbies.

Mine was absolutely awful between 12 and 16. And then not awful per se but they start being much more independant after that and I found the worry around that very stressful (combined with menopause)

My 2 fully grown adult kids by a million miles. Bigger kids, bigger problems 😞

Newborn stage was hardest and for me it got gradually easier from there. But then my teenager is very academic, has three regular sports and is currently getting stuck into his Duke of Edinburgh volunteering. Maybe he will rebel later 🤪

I keep thinking the next stage will be the hardest but ds(18) has been relatively easy so far, it is probably harder with more than one dc at different stages to focus on and split your time between.

We had the usual bf/sleepless nights, toddler tantrums, friendship issues, exam pressures and teen angst but nothing unsurmountable. He is first year uni now and I think (again) the hardest bit will be next - if he doesn't cope and drops out, fails to pass, doesn't try to get a job after or fails to launch into an independent adult.

Teens

Teenagers, particularly 16+ for boys and 13+ for girls. Tricky years to get right.
The mental gymnastics and worry are exhausting.

Give me sleepless nights with babies any time.

I think it gets easier, the older they get. But I really found I had to grit my teeth at the baby age, it was hard! whereas I find my teens fascinating and mostly lovely. And I like their independence!

Absolutely.

DD was a nice teenager, but she struggled with bullying and friendship issues at school.
I can honestly say that nothing prepares you for the emotional toll that having teenagers has on you.

A small child can be cuddled and kissed better, a teenager can't.

Then you have the stress of GCSEs, A levels and UCAS. Also, teenagers are expensive.

Definitely teenagers! Got an 18, 14 and 12 year old...Take me back to the baby and toddler times any day!!!!!

So adorable hhearing parents of smalls asking this question.

You fucking wait. Small children can't make mistakes that can lend them in prison, dead, or worse.

Teenagers are savage
Teenagers lie
Teenagers drink and get high and do silly shit
Teenagers don't give a fuck
Their bucket of fucks to give is empty
Their field of fucks to give is barren
Their glass of fucks to give is dry

I'm a tough cunt but my teens are cuntier.

0-4 without a doubt for me

@NotYourHolidayDick - amen to that and a standing ovation. Nailed it.

Definitely teens. When they get to about 17 they go out ..they come in. You only have their word for where they've been and what they've been doing. If you put boundaries in place you are controlling ...they are nearly of age . though by no means adult. When it gets serious and they are two months off eighteen the you can't stop me dialogue kicks in and ...unless they are doing something illegal they are right. They haven't got a totally adult mindset but they can sure as hell get into some adult type problems ...pregnancy ...drugs ...drop out of school/training ...with all the adult type consequences which go with them. 😁

I found around 18m to 2yo the hardest. Old enough to misbehave, but too young to understand why they shouldn't do something. DS2 went through a hitting phase too.

Teenagers have been easy for me so far (eldest is 17).

You have no idea what's to come!

Oh god down scare me 🫠

Eighteen, without a doubt.

A levels, university applications, formal balls and the associated stress, driving lessons, officially an adult but actually not remotely adult.

Give me a roomful of toddlers or wakeful babies any day.