What age is the most difficult to parent?

[Anonymous]

The first year because I’m a single parent and I was just so tired all of the time. I felt like I was underwater due to the sleep deprivation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My oldest is in high school and youngest in elementary. I think age 12-13 is the most unpleasant and difficult age to parent.

I remember having babies and toddlers and older parents would say the teen years are harder and they were right! The younger years were a breeze compared to the tween/teen years.

I'm finding that ages 18-22 are the hardest to parent. They have some agency, some freedom, want all the rights but are unwilling/unable to take all the responsibility. It's a difficult time.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the kid.

My first was an angel until she turned 13 and finally got better well into early adulthood. Very long rebellious stage.

First 3 years were hell with my second. We didn’t sleep and it was constant tantrums. No issues after that and she was a perfect studious little teenager.

[Anonymous]

3-5
Middle school for girls (and some boys)
Freshmen Through Junior year
1st 2 years of college

Golden years for my boys was 5-13

[Anonymous]

So far, for us it has been the early 20’s.

[Anonymous]

Early years?

12 months to 18 months.

Peak clinginess & no communication skills was horrible for me.

Kids are in early elem now so TBD on the teenage years. I expect they will be very challenging for me.

[Anonymous]

I only have a 3yo, but around now is the most difficult he's been.

[Anonymous]

For my 2nd and 3rd kids, 2 years old was the hardest. It's very emotional work that's draining, plus also physically tiring. Nonstop screaming, irrational, teaching them not to hit and bite, hard headedness. Some days I thought I lost my mind.

I haven't yet hit the hard years with my oldest.

[Anonymous]

My kids are in college and I think the most difficult years were late middle school, basically puberty. They are really great now and their early childhoods were easy. Readying this thread makes me think it very much just depends on the kid and circumstances, there’s no one rule fits all here.

[Anonymous]

I really hate the baby/toddler stage, so even with my "easy" one, that was the toughest time. My oldest of 3 is now 13 so we will see how it plays out. But it just seems like for all the challenges and emotions of later years, at least older kids walk, talk, use the toilet independently, take care of themselves to some extent, sleep through the night, participate in mutually enjoyable activities (like hiking or bike rides or water parks or reading dates or game night), blow their noses, puke in the toilet, have interesting conversations, develop interests, travel more easily - I don't get the appeal of babies, lol.

[Anonymous]

Age 4 with a kid with ADHD. Always running away in public, could not follow rules, would hit adults when he got frustrated. You wouldn’t believe he’s the same kid now at 13.

[Anonymous]

Mom of two boys 3 and 5. Really comforted to read how many more experienced parents say this is a really hard time. I'm tired and I think it's tiring and draining, so it's comforting to know this is one of the hardest times.

[Anonymous]

For me every year has been easier than the last. My oldest is 9. The first year was the worst. Every year after has been slightly better. I am looking forward to teenage years.

But he has severe adhd and so the impulsive behavior and lack of understanding how his brain works at a young age were awful. He was suspended from K and 1st grade. School is miserable but with the right meds and maturity it keeps getting better. I think he is going to be an amazing adult and every year we get closer to that is a step in the right direction!

Also have a 4 year old and still think every year is better with her. The baby and toddler years are not my thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me every year has been easier than the last. My oldest is 9. The first year was the worst. Every year after has been slightly better. I am looking forward to teenage years.

But he has severe adhd and so the impulsive behavior and lack of understanding how his brain works at a young age were awful. He was suspended from K and 1st grade. School is miserable but with the right meds and maturity it keeps getting better. I think he is going to be an amazing adult and every year we get closer to that is a step in the right direction!

Also have a 4 year old and still think every year is better with her. The baby and toddler years are not my thing.

Mid elementary is the easiest and best. Before puberty. All the kids get along.

[Anonymous]

So far, all of the 7-8 was really, really difficult with my kid. Sue was diagnosed with ADHD during that time. Emotional regulation nightmare. It was constant, very exhausting meltdowns.

My older child has been relatively easy. I'd say 3yo was tough, but she is a teen now. Aside from the normal amount of teen irrational behavior and emotions, she returns to reality pretty quickly.