Are subsequent teenagers easier?

[FiveHoursSleep]

We have 4 DC, 6 years between the oldest and youngest. The eldest is just 10; we are getting some preteen brattishness already, but generally she's pretty helpful and thoughtful.

I don't know quite what to expect tbh, and I think that's the scariest thing of all! I'm expecting the teen years to be horrid, but does it get slightly easier with each teenager, the way it does with the toddler, then the school age years?

Or are we in for a decade of hell as they follow each other into teenagehood? Parents who have had three or more teens at the same time. Do you have any words of wisdom? We have 3 girls, then a boy if that makes any difference?

It isn't inevitable that the teenage years will be difficult but the biggest factor is a child's individual personality. DD1 was spectaularly awful but she wasn't exactly ever an easy child. She's 20 now and came out the other side a reasonable human being

DD2 (18) and DS(15) haven't caused too much angst but they have both have similar fairly easy going personalities which means they don't go in for the testing boundaries that DD1 specialised in. DD2 was very self motivated and wanted to do well at GCSEs and A levels which takes away a huge area of conflict - just look at some on the threads on here about teenagers that won't take exams seriously. Fortunately DS seems to be following a similar path.

I'm sure I haven't done anything differently or become fantastically better at parenting teenagers its just that the younger two were made that way!

Hmm, DD1 is probably the easiest of them all but none of them are easy children. They all like to push boundaries and do their best to get a reaction out of us. DD1 is quite self motivated AT THE MOMENT, but she's only 10. DD2 is likely to give us a run for our money as everything is a struggle and she does nothing without a tantrum which is pretty wearying.
I should leave home now, shouldn't I?

I used to think that every stage would be easier with subsequent children, now I think only a parent of an only child could believe that. As webwiz says it depends on their personalities.
As DS2 grew up I though I had been well prepared by DS1 bur he was different in many ways. The bits that were tough with DS1 just didn't happen with DS2 and he took me by surprise with a whole new set of parental challenges.
DS2 is now 13 and so far maturing quite differently from his brother.
Never had strops or paddies from either of them since they were 4 though.

Personally, I think most families with more than, say, two children will have one horror of a baby (think no sleep for years) and one horror of a teenager. Usually not the same child.

I think it is random as to whether it is the oldest or youngest, or the ones in between.

My eldest two were a ride in the park compared to my youngest! Mind you, she had the most tantrums as a toddler too, and was more strong minded so as previous threads have said, I think you can tell by their personalities early on. Am looking forward to coming out of the other side...if I survive!

It depends on the personality. DD1 was fairly easy apart from the usual teenage arguments. DD2 was harder and stayed out a lot later. DD3 is in the middle doesn't like crowds so doesn't go to clubs but she is inclined to argue a lot. She is 19 and has learning difficulties so started the teenage stuff late.