Happiest time, age 4 (finally done with the threenanger eon) to 7. Unfortunately, that's when I was diagnosed with cancer, even though 7 and 8 are great kid years.

I feel truly fortunate right now. I'm working from home more hours than I ever did in person, helping my kids (9 and 13) with school, and have very little time for myself. Like you Op, so over weight that its always on my mind. And yet, I'm happy. I don't mind social distancing, working from home, and not hanging out with people. I'm enjoying the time with my kids. I feel bad for my child that isn't handling things well, but overall as a family, we are doing alright.

Sigh, I think when my daughter was 2-3 years old. She's an easy, joyful kid and life was easy. Then we got hit with secondary infertility and the years since then have been just so physically (dealing with miscarriages and failed IVF cycles) and emotionally draining. The hormones did a number on me and the emotional toll did a number on DH. So grateful our DD is still her optimistic, exuberant self. I don't know if we'll ever get back to who we were, but I hope so.

Anonymous wrote:I have a 4.5yo and a 6mo. It’s funny to me that despite having very little personal time, a ton of responsibilities at home and work, and being disgustingly overweight, I am the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I’ve heard it said that raising young kids is the happiest time - guess it’s true for me so far (knock on wood). Anyone else?

Yes! I was SO tired in my early 30s raising two boisterous boys (only 21 months apart) - plus I did my professional qualifications during that time, while working full-time - but I was very happy. It was a wonderful time. That whole decade in the 30s was probably the best time. Lots of fun.

Have a great time! It will get less tiring so you still have the ages of four to twelve to really get the most out of it!
Have adventures! Have movie and sleepover nights with a coulple of their friends (just a couple, it gets crazy with too many, I've done that too!).

Just out of college and when my kids were younger. The old adage of 'little kids, little problem, big kids, big problems ' is true. I spend most of my day worrying now....

Yep. I think right now - past few years and hopefully a few more before my kids age out of wanting to hang out. Mine are 9 and 12. It has been fun since we got past a year with DC 1 and then over the rough hump of year 1 with DC2.

Happiest I’ve ever felt is now. Just had what I think will be the last of my kids. This scares me because I feel I’m about to be thrown a curveball. Usually happens when I think everything is going good and I’m happy.

The 14 years I’ve been a mom have been the happiest time of my life. But I’m actually happier as a mom of young teens than as a mom of very young kids.

30 - I was making a ton of money, started dating DH. We ate out a lot, traveled, had lots of sex. The only responsibility we had was going to work, and our jobs were somewhat low stress, but high paying.

I'm pretty content now, two kids (HS/MS), and I will be sad when kids leave for college, but at the same time, I'm kind of excited to have so much free time again.

Happiest time was when they were 5-13

Anonymous wrote:I have a 4.5yo and a 6mo. It’s funny to me that despite having very little personal time, a ton of responsibilities at home and work, and being disgustingly overweight, I am the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I’ve heard it said that raising young kids is the happiest time - guess it’s true for me so far (knock on wood). Anyone else?

Looking at pictures you would think that timeframe would have been the happiest and my kids were so cute then...however, if I really think about it, NO! I was beyond stretched out without a lot of support and financial pressures looming. My happiest time is now, my kids are 6 & 8, they just hit this stride of independence and it's awesome to see but they still need their mommy. I also like having some space to myself now to pursue other interests. When they were younger, I didn't ever get a break. I remember hiding in the bathroom and pantry at times. lol

It's hard for me to step back and realize it (especially these days with all the external stress like COVID, election, etc) but right now - kids 1.5 and 4 - is a really really great moment in life. We spend so much time as a family and we all love each other so much. I know that will shift as the kids get older.

I also loved the first year or two after H and I got married in our late 20s - tons of travel, friends, we were settled and making a decent income finally but with no responsibility. And maybe my favorite by far was my first six months after my oldest was born. I LOVED being a tiny little brand new family of 3, and we still traveled and did all the things we used to. Real "parenthood" hadn't quite hit us yet like it has now. Now is also lovely and special, but different, and I did have a small rough patch with that transition (I'm one of those people who really struggled going from one to two, but now we're all adjusted and life is good).

Anonymous wrote:For me, the happiest time of my life was when my children were young. I now believe at least some of that was hormone-related. I read somewhere in the last year or two that the hormones stick around for like 3 years -- longer if you breastfeed.

If true they should bottle that stuff, because it's amazing!

For me, the happiest time of my life was when my children were young. I now believe at least some of that was hormone-related. I read somewhere in the last year or two that the hormones stick around for like 3 years -- longer if you breastfeed.

Anonymous wrote:My happiest times were probably my mid-20s when I started my dream job, the month we brought DD home, and 2019-2020, even amid Covid; last year was great for many reasons and it only improved early-2020 and then I really connected with my family during quarantine in a way I hadn’t anticipated.

And her 19/20 ages are 9/10. I can really talk to her on a semi-adult level, we can watch movies and both be interested, music, certain books, activities and hobbies, etc.