Kids ages when life got easier?!

[Shleepymummy]

What kids ages did other parents find life got a bit easier?
2 DC, 4.5 and 2.5. DH and I are so tired. We are either working, looking after DC or tidying up the house! The tidying up seems constant, and we keep our stuff down to a minimum. I am forever picking up stuff, sorting stuff, putting stuff away, cleaning. Only for the house to look awful again a day later. I don't think we could get rid of much more, feel like kids don't have a lot of clothes/toys as it is.
DH don't spend any time together. We are just with the kids and staying a float with life.
Today we tried to all watch a film at home so we could have an hour of quiet sit time and so I could sit with DH. DH ended up going to play with DD who wouldn't watch the film.
Exhausting.

Unfortunately you are in the worst stage at the moment! My daughter has adhd but became a bit easier after 6 when she could do more for herself, then I decided to add another baby in! We are also in the trenches right now, I’ve learned to leave the mess until the evening, be organised the day before so not so much of a rush in the morning and to pick my battles. Me and my dh also get no time together. At least you had them close together so will be out of it at the same time.

A 2 year gap is hard work when they're young but pays off when they are older. Life will be easier from 6 & 8 onwards.

Mine is 25… still waiting…

No advice but solidarity, mine are 2 and 5 and I could have written your post! Life is exhausting.

I was just thinking, maybe when they leave home!?

3.5/4 for both mine

I was thinking about 25! Aside from that, I remember it feeling easier when they reached secondary school, although they still needed a lot of running around. When they passed their driving test helped.

About 17 and 14 for my two sons....only really started getting on the past 18 months. Eldest is autistic and finally on medication which is keeping him on a level keel

3 and 5 for us and then steadily from there. Now they’re 7 and 9 and it’s a different world.

When my youngest turned 4

You don't have to do it both together....

I imagine it might be different with two, but for us with just DS life has definitely got a lot easier from 6 upwards. He’s perfectly able to do most things for himself now (e.g., get dressed, prepare his own breakfast) and can play independently for extended periods, as well as sitting through a reasonable length film. School days still feel pretty relentless with us both working, managing after school clubs, sporting activities, etc. but I suspect that’s just life for the foreseeable.

I’d also say around 5 or 6 as they become more independent. It’s a lovely age. They still need you but at the same time they can occupy themselves for short periods.

Yes 5 and 2 year old here, and our 5 year old is suspected ASD and ADHD. Life is hard.

Mine are 12 and 14 and I wouldn't say things get easier, the problems are just different. Each age has easy and difficult aspects. Having a 14 year old girl is terrifying! Despite doing everything you can to keep them safe, it's not always possible. I speak from experience unfortunately. You feel so out of control and constantly worry. There's also the hormones and the things they say can be downright hurtful. As much as I love them, I've found myself grieving for the little ones that they once were.

Between 8 and 11 was probably the easiest though.

4 and 5 for us.

6-12 were the easiest years, however it gradually starts to worsen again after that I’m afraid. I can honestly say that older teens/young adults are more stressful than babies or toddlers. Their problems become much more complex (socially, financially, educationally) and there’s very little that you can do to help fix it.

We are at the early teens and it’s only got harder and harder from babyhood. No sign of it easing up any time soon. All kids are different of course, and we have likely ND to deal with, so you may find things get easier, I hope so!

When they both get to school.

From 7ish def gets easier. The problems as they get older become bigger but it is overall worry rather than the physical stress of having to watch them ever second so very different.

Difficult ages and I imagine a difficult age gap too (mine are 1 & 5) not sure when it gets easier

I personally found ages 5-10 really enjoyable. They’re more independent and can be really good company. Things are not bad now in the early to mid teens but … teenage years do come with a lot more challenges and uncertainty over whether we’re doing the right thing as parents. The constant boundary pushing is hard work.

I have asked a couple of mums with lots of children of varying ages what the hardest/easiest ages are.

one said teens are the hardest probably from about 14, particularly girls.

The other said she felt it was the toddler years.

one of them had 5 children from baby to 19yo the other had 2yo to 16yo

When the youngest is 4.