Which parenting stage have you found the most challenging so far?

[juliano]

What is the hardest parenting phase you've experienced so far?

Teenage. 13 year olds are stressful.

13-16 years d for all 3 of my dc.

Teens, definitely

18months-4years old.

Another one for the teenage years. I’m quite early on in this stage with my dc, and already I’ve been thrown many curve balls. I’m not looking forward to the next few years!

Teenage definitely. Give me a 3-12 year old any day.

13-16 years for one of my children by a billion miles

Probably best if only parents of adults respond, otherwise they haven’t done all the stages

My dc range from 12 to 36.
Teen are definitely the hardest 14-18...

16-20

For me, the hardest stage by far was the transition to adulthood. Their problems become ones you can't fix, you can see them making mistakes, still feel responsibility, but can do nothing about it, and they start having relationships with people who aren't always good for them/making them happy, but who are more important to them and will be prioritised over you.

It passes and you learn to be happy you've sent them into the world reasonably well prepared but those first couple of years are tough IME.

It seems that age 13 is the most difficult for many people

That's interesting that all three followed a similar pattern

The teenage years are definitely winning this discussion so far

I have a 13 year old and it’s getting harder by the day. Exhausting mentally and emotionally!

Gosh DD turns 13 in a few weeks am scared now

You're the first person to mention that age range lol

It seems you're not alone judging by the replies here

I have a 16 yo and a 6 yo and I'd say, for 16 yo, the worst ages were 8 and 11.

For the 6 yo, nothing will ever top 3.5. I don't care how horrible you say your teenager is/was, I very much doubt they were screaming at you from under a table whilst having shit themselves and refusing to allow you to change them. I wasn't sure whether I needed the HV or an exorcist but somehow or other, we got through it and she was fine at 4.

She's also apparently having a mini-puberty at 6 and we're getting a lot of attitude, slammed doors and eye-rolls. But at least there's no poo involved.

A lot of people seem to agree with you on that.

That age range has come up several times already

For me it was the early years; post-natal depression, very jealous toddler, child who did not sleep and another who woke very early. For about 6 years I did not sleep. Teens were not so hard for me because we had a very open relationship and wide boundaries.

I found the teen years easier!!! They’re more independent, can take themselves to school, clubs etc. Can cook and fend for themselves if you want to go out.

That's a really interesting perspective. The transition to adulthood definitely brings a completely different set of challenges compared to the earlier years

(For openness I missed the baby years and started at 8 and 2.5)