YEah, sorry to be a downer, but it doesnt' stop being hard. But the problems do change. We all tell new moms that it gets easier, but that's just because we feel sorry for you and want to make you feel better. Raising children is hard, and demanding, regardless of age. I'm sure my 70 year old parents are getting sick of bailing my 40 year old sister out of her tax issues too. And I can guarantee you my MIL is worn out, exhausted, and defeated by the multiple divorces of her children. But hey! It's not diapers!

Anonymous wrote:Mine are 16, 14, and 11. They are difficult in a much different way. We battle about cell phones, clothes, lost sports gear, curfews, chores and homework. We have tutors and sports practices, fundraisers and field trips that take a ton of time, money and energy. School is much more demanding, and each child has different needs that we have to meet while they are fighting us the entire way. Little kids are physically exhausting, but teenagers take an emotional toll that we did not expect.

Agree 100%. I'll take the physical exhaustion of younger kids over the mental exhaustion of my 10 and 12 year olds anyway. Again, just a different kind of hard.

Anonymous wrote:Np. This whole post gives me hope!

Me, too (at 32 weeks along with my third, first two will be 4.5 and 2.5 when he's born)! I'm starting to have moments of panic, and while I fully expect things to get harder, it's helpful to know that will also likely get easier in the long run.

Mine are 16, 14, and 11. They are difficult in a much different way. We battle about cell phones, clothes, lost sports gear, curfews, chores and homework. We have tutors and sports practices, fundraisers and field trips that take a ton of time, money and energy. School is much more demanding, and each child has different needs that we have to meet while they are fighting us the entire way. Little kids are physically exhausting, but teenagers take an emotional toll that we did not expect.

Np. This whole post gives me hope!

Mine are 5, 5 and 7. I feel like I live on Easy Street compared to even one year ago. It definitely gets easier. I spent the weekend cooking and catching up with my reading while the kids entertained themselves outside.

The "milestones" that bring real relief:

Using bathroom by themselves.

Getting their own snack.

Being able to reach the light switches.

Birthday parties and play dates are drop off.

Dressing themselves, including outdoor gear.

Being able to buckle themselves into car seat or booster.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have three but I can tell you that having two, ages 9 and 7, is 1,000,000 times easier than having a 5 and a 3 year old. And possibly 2,000,000 times easier than having a 3 and a 1 year old.

Not OP, but this is what I wanted to hear! I have a 5 and 1 year old, and feel like collapsing every night. I need to be "on" from the moment they wake up to when they go to sleep.

Life gets substantially easier when your youngest turns 4.

I'd believe this. My youngest is three and it's exhausting. My 5yo has his moments, but he's a pretty helpful little creature. I could easily see things being better when she's just a little older.

My kids are 9 8 and 5 and while yes the physical parenting is a million times easier the practices, homework and weekend sports mean that other things get a lot harder. It's just a different kind of hard.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have three but I can tell you that having two, ages 9 and 7, is 1,000,000 times easier than having a 5 and a 3 year old. And possibly 2,000,000 times easier than having a 3 and a 1 year old.

Not OP, but this is what I wanted to hear! I have a 5 and 1 year old, and feel like collapsing every night. I need to be "on" from the moment they wake up to when they go to sleep.

Life gets substantially easier when your youngest turns 4.

Anonymous wrote:I don't have three but I can tell you that having two, ages 9 and 7, is 1,000,000 times easier than having a 5 and a 3 year old. And possibly 2,000,000 times easier than having a 3 and a 1 year old.

Not OP, but this is what I wanted to hear! I have a 5 and 1 year old, and feel like collapsing every night. I need to be "on" from the moment they wake up to when they go to sleep.

Everything will seem easier when everyone can go to the bathroom by themselves.. I have four, and got them all trained right before they turned 3.

Anonymous wrote:I don't have three but I can tell you that having two, ages 9 and 7, is 1,000,000 times easier than having a 5 and a 3 year old. And possibly 2,000,000 times easier than having a 3 and a 1 year old.

Totally agree with this.

I wouldn't have a toddler again for all the money in the world. (A baby, yes. A toddler, no!)

I don't have three but I can tell you that having two, ages 9 and 7, is 1,000,000 times easier than having a 5 and a 3 year old. And possibly 2,000,000 times easier than having a 3 and a 1 year old.

I need perspective. My 3 kids are killing me. They are 5, 3 and 1. I feel like I can't be anything to anyone because I'm pulled in so many directions. Please tell me it gets easier when they are 10, 8 and 6, for example? Or even 6, 4 and 2?