What is the most annoying/difficult age of kid to have during this?

[Anonymous]

Pp here - wish she were a year older but so glad she isn’t two anymore

[Anonymous]

I have a 3.5 and 5.5 year old. It's hell. Between them and DH driving me insane, I'm going to lose my mind. DH doesn't understand that I need down time. I'm trying to telework a demanding job, manage two kids 24/7, and deal with a husband pissed I don't want to do major hour projects right now and discuss them to the nth degree late into the night

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For real: An 18 year old who is a freshman in college. He’s had a taste of freedom and independence. He’s legally an adult. Emotionally, he thinks he’s invincible, like every other 18 year old. And here we are having the strained conversation about bringing him home. He’s not happy about it on so many levels.

When he gets here, we’re going to have to deal with his crankiness as he tries to connect with friends.

I WISH I had a toddler. That would so much easier than navigating this.

Our neighbors' kids are 17-23 and this is exactly what they said. They want to go see their friends who are also home from college and do not think this is a big deal. It's like talking to a wall.

Mine are almost 3 and 6 (both boys) and it pretty much sucks so far. The older one has always been a difficult kid. He wants to play in a very specific way and the younger one alternates between not understanding and getting pleasure out of annoying the older one. Never mind that I am supposed to be homeschooling the older one to some extent and working full time (very flexible job even in normal times, but still full time). I feel like parents of young kids are being asked to do the impossible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any kid with ADHD.

Yeah, but I can say honestly it would have been SO MUCH WORSE when they were in the 3 to 6 age range and literally smashing into walls and each other and flipping out about every little thing. Now I'm like -- here's your screen. Commence hyperfocusing.
God help us when they run out of their meds at the Pharmacy, though. I may literally have kids jumping off the roof.
Good luck to everyone.

Did you ever think maybe their ADHD is worse because of all the screens and lack of exercise?

DP. No, because presumably this is a temporary solution to a temporary problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 3.5 and 5.5 year old. It's hell. Between them and DH driving me insane, I'm going to lose my mind. DH doesn't understand that I need down time. I'm trying to telework a demanding job, manage two kids 24/7, and deal with a husband pissed I don't want to do major hour projects right now and discuss them to the nth degree late into the night

My kids are almost the exact same ages, with my younger one being a couple of months shy of yours. They can play unattended for short bursts, but it never lasts long (and frequently ends badly).

[Anonymous]

I think anything pre-elementary school. Even if they are in daycare/pre-school, they just aren't used to a structured day and have a harder time self-entertaining. I feel for parents of very young kids, especially those who are also balancing teleworking. You guys deserve a medal.

[Anonymous]

Definitely 15mo-24 months. Worst age ever!!!! I have a 20 month old, 3.5 and a 5 year old. The older two can easily entertain each other and can color/read books/play/watch movies. The 15 month old wants a new activity ever 5 minutes and doesn't watch more than 5 minutes of TV.

What I can't stand is seeing my childless friends whine about social distancing. I pretty much dream about social distancing without kids. Sounds lovely! Catching up on netflix, cleaning my house, organizing....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any kid with ADHD.

Yeah, but I can say honestly it would have been SO MUCH WORSE when they were in the 3 to 6 age range and literally smashing into walls and each other and flipping out about every little thing. Now I'm like -- here's your screen. Commence hyperfocusing.
God help us when they run out of their meds at the Pharmacy, though. I may literally have kids jumping off the roof.
Good luck to everyone.

Did you ever think maybe their ADHD is worse because of all the screens and lack of exercise?

DP. No, because presumably this is a temporary solution to a temporary problem.

I'm that PP. Just FYI, we did no screens until 3, and extremely limited screens after that until 6 or so (PBS only, and only for short periods). Ordinarily my kids are in multiple sports but of course that's all cancelled. And they usually do playdates frequently, but can't do that. They are still doing walks every day plus bike rides and indoor exercises (thank you, Wii Fit and Just Dance!). You just have NO IDEA what causes ADHD or what it's like. So educate yourself before making snide comments.

PS My kids also read about 8 hours a day. But with zero playdates, zero sports practices, an hour or two of exercise a day, and eight to nine hours a sleep a night, that still leaves 7 hours a day to fill. So there's gonna be a lot of screens around here. (One of them is actually writing a book on the computer.) My post was really about the fact that, for the younger crowd, that can't really read independently and often has minimal interest in screens, I think that's the toughest age.

[Anonymous]

4 is not fun. I feel like a horrible parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like parents of young kids are being asked to do the impossible.

Totally agree! Why are companies acting like "business as usual, ho hum." I mean, I know a lot of companies are adjusting to the situation, but companies who are doing work not related to helping in this situation I feel should lower their expectations for productivity given kids being home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 3.5 and 5.5 year old. It's hell. Between them and DH driving me insane, I'm going to lose my mind. DH doesn't understand that I need down time. I'm trying to telework a demanding job, manage two kids 24/7, and deal with a husband pissed I don't want to do major hour projects right now and discuss them to the nth degree late into the night

My kids are almost the exact same ages, with my younger one being a couple of months shy of yours. They can play unattended for short bursts, but it never lasts long (and frequently ends badly).

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I feel like I'm failing at everything right now.

[Anonymous]

Mine are 5, 3 and 1. I am trying to telework FT (I'm an attorney) and my DH is an ED doctor. It sucks.

[Anonymous]

I lived in a harsh climate with three age 3 and under. It is difficult. Wouldn't do it while you're working but I put mine in the bathtub sometimes for an hour or more a day in various combinations.

[Anonymous]

I have a 4 year old with special needs (nonverbal, nonambulatory, in diapers, special diet, etc) and an 11-month old. It's a hard time over here/

[Anonymous]

1.5 and 3 is pretty hellish!