Best Age for Baby/Toddler

[Anonymous]

I am wondering what age other members "enjoyed" the most with their kid(s).....I have a 2 year old who is so spirited that I honestly cannot wait for him to grow up a little more - so I can reason with him, not change diapers, carry him less, etc. I did not feel this way with my first. I feel guilty admitting it. With my first I loved every stage - infant, fat little baby, adorable toddler......this one is sucking the life out of me!!
Anyone else care to share?

[Anonymous]

When our son was born, a friend of the family told me. "Isn't it wonderful to have a baby, aren't infants amazing?" When I agreed, he said that it only gets better.
After more than 2 years, I agree. It's so cool how many new things they learn, even things you don't teach them, how they figure out things, or at least try to, how amazed they can be at the world, over and over and over.

And the best part: the annoying times are just a phase.

[Anonymous]

I had child #2 a year ago. With #1 I kept wanting her to be at the next stage - walking, talking, potty-trained, etc. But after a year of her being 3 (!@#@#$%^!) I am cherishing every moment of DD#2's first year. Granted the first four months sucked, I thought, but I am absolutely loving 6-12 months and hopefully longer. I think that's the best stage, they are cute, loving and (at least in my case) on a schedule! I am not looking forward to having another 3 year-old though!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had child #2 a year ago. With #1 I kept wanting her to be at the next stage - walking, talking, potty-trained, etc. But after a year of her being 3 (!@#@#$%^!) I am cherishing every moment of DD#2's first year. Granted the first four months sucked, I thought, but I am absolutely loving 6-12 months and hopefully longer. I think that's the best stage, they are cute, loving and (at least in my case) on a schedule! I am not looking forward to having another 3 year-old though!!

Ooh, this scares me because I feel like our 2.75 year old is really fun right now and I wonder if that will change once he turns 3. Yes, he still does things to drive me nuts and has started asking "why?" all the time, but I feel like he is so much easier to take out to restaurants or stores right now and I have fun running around with him. He also cracks me up with all the things he says! I also have a 9 month old at home, and while I think he is really cute and fun, I do find it hard to constantly watch what he puts in his mouth or where he is going. IMO, It is a little easier when they can talk and understand and follow some of the rules.

[Anonymous]

Every stage we've reached with our baby is my (new) favorite.

[Anonymous]

Well, I'm with you OP. My 2.5 year old DS is a handful. I am looing forward to when we can take him to restuarants and he will actually behave and not just want to get up and explore the entire place. Our 4.5 month old DS is a total dream. He likes being held, but is really just such a delight. I think it just depends on whether a person has a "spirited" child. I adore my firstborn but enough already with all the whining and tantrums! I think those that love every phase must have better natured children than my eldest!

[Anonymous]

Even though they're not very civilized, toddlers are great. As the mother of teenagers and young adults, I tell you, no matter how bad they are - enjoy them. They ride in the car with you and DON'T tell you how to drive. They go to restaurants and run around under the tables instead of COUNTING YOUR glasses of wine, and anytime you put on something sparkly they love it, instead of asking you if you don't think you're OVERDOING it. ALSO, a hug and kiss are perfectly acceptable methods of communication, instead of EMAIL.

I will have to admit though, and it's a guilty secret - new babies are kind of boring until about 9 months, so don't feel bad if you think so too!

[Anonymous]

Every stage has it ups and downs. When I child was an infant I really loved that she was portable and and very easy to care for (only cried when hungry, sick or wet), but did not like the lack of sleep or the fact that she could not interact with me. My mom still remind of the day when I call my mom and complained that the baby "just lies there". Now, that she is almost 3, I loved that we can have a conversation (she is a talker) and do fun things together, but now taking her out takes a lot more planning and I have to find activities that she also enjoys, plus now she know how to assert herself.

Enjoy all the stages, pretty soon they will be teenagers and you will become an "embarrasment".

[Anonymous]

Whenever I am frustrated, which is a lot with my toddler! I remind myself that I will be wishing for these days back again. My only regret at having kids later (late 30's) is I am afraid I won't be able to relive these wonderful stages as a grandmother - which my mother has been able to do as a young grandmother. So I try to cherish every moment - good or bad. And you are right - when they are teenagers we are gonna wish we could pick them up and wish they needed us so much! Sigh......