Are the teenage years REALLY worse than the toddler years?

[itmustbewineoclock]

Really....really. People with teens keep on doing the shaking head knowingly thing when I talk about how hard toddlers can be. My theory is that they have forgotten as it's so long ago.

[TheArsenicCupCake]

Very interesting question op.

Both are:

funny
fun to be with
stroppy
finding out where the boundries are and pshing lie hell
gaining independance

toddlers sleep at a better time leaving adult time in the evening, though may wake up in the night

teens pee on the thought of a reasonable bedtime but will then sleep till midday, but you still loose sleep if they are out with friends incase they do something really stupid

teen risks are much much higher but teens are very cool beings

[waterdogpuppy]

Having three boys I am being prepared for being eaten out of house and home, as well as strops and smelly trainers when we reach the teenage years.

However, surely nothing can compare to having three children age 4, 2 and newborn (none at school) with the demands of breastfeeding, two children in nappies plus eczema and reflux to deal with! Teenagers may be up in the evening, but at least you can go to bed yourself and not get woken up by the baby needing a feed or a toddler coming into your bed.

[unietoonie]

I agree teens are a total nightmare made worse by them being girls I had 4 teenage girls in the house and then to add to that a son who was really good as a toddler and a great guy to have about as a teenager so take your own deduction from this to many hormones....

[dolphin13]

oh god a million times yes.
In my experience girls are the worst as well.

D

[Ivykaty44]

Oooooooooh yes I had such an adorable well behaved delightful child before year 7 and now....she is nearly 18 and a nightmare.

Seriously I have had more sleepless night this end than the other, that is the truth....

[NotanOtter]

it must be winoclock

oooh no no no

I have three teens

i have three babs 7,4,1

teens are ten times harder - seriously - they mess with your head.

[NotanOtter]

thescondcoming - chill it will be fine!

[NotanOtter]

just to clarify - my first teen (now 17.5) a doddle

the next two 15 and 13 ...... I have been known to hide when i hear them coming home from school !

[itmustbewineoclock]

dolphin13 - I have 3 of them! ( DD's) Right, I'm off to a Kibbutz. ( Do they still exist?)
Notans otter - do you actually have 6 kids? 3 toddlers and 3 teens - you need some serious TLC. Or medication.
Minda I think you've probably summed it all up.

[NotanOtter]

my thoughts exactly itmustbewineoclock!

[MrsForgetful]

YESSSSSSSS!!!!!

Oh YESSSSSS!!!!

I'd give ANYTHING to go back and appreciate my 3 sons early years...rather than wish every day away.

[GirlWiththeMouseyHair]

I am seriously appreciating my easy 18mo before he turns into a difficult toddler and/or teenager after reading this thread, and am reconsidering having any more children

DON'T GROW UP
(sobs)

[Goblinchild]

Love my two teens, I'd happily houseshare with them by choice.
I found toddlers much harder, and mine are now big enough to survive most scrapes without needing all that helicopter parenting.
Physically they are bigger, but their toys and stuff take up so much less space, And the colours are more muted.
Their friends are lovely as well. So it's a vote for teens here.

[alysonpeaches]

Of course its dependent on the individuals, but as I am raising my grandchildren, I have to admit that toddlers are the hardest physically, especially when they dont sleep well. I actually had a life when I had teenagers. I could have a night out when I wanted. I could have an afternoon kip when I wanted. I could send one of them to the shop or ask them for the odd bit of help (OK so they didnt do much). The house wasnt constantly untidy, smelly and full of plastic crap either. I didnt have to fasten them into their car seats or take them to nursery and school or fetch them back. They made their own drinks and snacks and bathed and dressed themselves.

I admit that one of my two teenagers gave me sleepless nights sometimes with worry, but so do the toddlers in more ways than one.

However, Im not looking forward to having 4 hormonal teenagers in the house, especially when the 3 girls hit puberty.