Is there an age when things get easier, or not really?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Each age comes with its own set of difficulties. It doesn’t really get easier.


I noticed at 4 vacations were enjoyable again. But it really depends on the kids.

I’ve found the older they get the more emotional and complex the problems. It’s different and more devastating then what your dealing with in diapers, and it gets to the point where these are things they really remember from their childhood so you have to make sure you choose your word wisely. It’s a lot of pressure!

+1
I have 4 kids ranging from 3 to 12 yrs old and it is def easier once they're self sufficient, can articulate, can go w/o naps, eat well, potty trained etc.
So the physical aspects are easier, but w/ age comes the emotional development- the gray line of autonomy, school/social life, drama, wanting to grow up but not quite there, etc.

Agree w/ PP who said this older stage of childhood seems to be where memory happens. My 12 yr old told me the other day how much fun she had when we all played Uno together in our new house for the first time - that was like 8 yrs ago. I have no recollection of that.


On a side note OP- sounds like your kid is picking up on your stress. You said yourself there's a lot of anxiety and uncertainty and money issues (which I'm guessing is stressing your marriage too). Your kid might be acting out a bit to that too especially since 2.5 yr olds can't quite identify their emotions or articulate well.

[Anonymous]

For my kids, 3 is when they started to become more reasonable, more sociable, more able to express themselves verbally.

Tantrums pretty much ended around 2.5. It was like a switch clicked and they simply stopped having them. Nothing I did.

[Anonymous]

Single mom here. My only child is 14 now and the easiest years were the elementary school years. Things started getting hairy again around the time he turned 13. Now he seems a lot like a toddler again but just much bigger. He is often tired despite sleeping a lot and is hungry nearly all of the time. Add in so,e sullenness and moodiness and I have a big toddler on my hands. Enjoy the elementary years!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will get different, but never really easier. The rewards are awesome though!

+1 to the first sentence, and maybe to the second. I'll add that the risks / consequences associated with their activities goes up.

[Anonymous]

Solidarity OP. My kid is nearly 2.5 and we are starting to see an uptick in tantrums and emotional responses to things that wouldn't have been that way even a month ago. I don't have an older kid, but have friends and nieces/nephews and my observation has been that there's a terrible 6 months to a year somewhere between 2-4 for everyone. So somewhere between 3 and 3.5 I'd think it will start to get easier again. Hugs!

[Anonymous]

Mine are 5 and 8 and it's awesome (boys). No more diapers/naps/etc, understand consequences, but still want to cuddle and hang out as a family.

[Anonymous]

My oldest is almost 3.5 but he's gotten a lot easier the last few months, assuming he takes a nap. All bets are off if he doesn't nap for whatever reason.

[Anonymous]

Enjoy those preschool years no matter what!! I agree with age 4 being a real breakthrough time. Golden! Sigh...now my oldest is getting ready for college but he’s got a girlfriend who is manipulating his heart something terrible and it’s breaking mine and he hasn’t even moved out yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My oldest is almost 3.5 but he's gotten a lot easier the last few months, assuming he takes a nap. All bets are off if he doesn't nap for whatever reason.

Truly easy is when they don’t need the nap and are human all day without one.