hardest ages?

dakotablue · 04-11-2012, 08:19 PM

So I know for DS1 18m to about 2 years it was like a little demon child moved in.

Are there other general ages that are very difficult? We are thinking about the spacing for our third (I was thinking longer than shorter, but I got to wear my new nephew today

)

So What are/ were the hardest ages (and please don't say all of them

)

Thanks

PS...the 3 under 3 thread has be worried even though DS1 would be over 3....

Marzipan · 04-11-2012, 08:23 PM

With dd 3 and 8 so far have been the hardest. With ds, 4 was by far the worst. With dd2, she's an angel and everything she does is adorable.

My kids are all 2+years apart and that has worked well for us.

Codi · 04-11-2012, 08:24 PM

The notorious ages around here (and by here I mean GCM) are 3 and 6. But each age has a period of disequilibrium.

MiriamRose · 04-11-2012, 08:29 PM

DS went through a rough patch around 16-19 months. But, we also had a lot of transition going on around that time.

He is 28 months now, and I think started the 2.5 disequilibrium maybe 4-6 weeks ago. I am having a much harder time handling this stage than the 1.5...maybe because I'm pg, maybe because he really was such an angel child until recently. He is still an overall very laid-back, delightful toddler and it's all normal 2yo stuff...just the hitting and biting and testing of boundaries really frays my nerves, esp since he saves most of it for when I am alone with him. I can't wait to get on the other side of this phase to some smoother sailing for a little while.

3boysforme · 04-11-2012, 08:29 PM

For ds1 it was 4, ds2 its been 4 and so far 5, ds3......all of them

believer · 04-11-2012, 08:32 PM

My dad used to say that with me the most difficult age was 16. W/ my oldest dd - it was probably late 17/early 18.

She was tough at 3 also. In fact, she was just the most difficult of the 3 so far.

Aisling · 04-11-2012, 08:35 PM

Half ages, in general, are tough.

After that, it really depends on the child/parent.

Also, what triggers me might not even phase you.

3, 4 and 6 were tough for dd1.

15m, 2 and 4.5 have been tough for dd2.

3 has been tough for dd3.

Three's been a really busy age that's full of big feelings, experimenting with word power, and highly sensory-charged. I have to stay on top of my 3yos all. the. time.

That said, they're also remarkably delightful and verbal and imaginative.

Really, try as we might have to time everything "just right", things really tend to happen the way they will, and you're bound to have your hellish age combos even with docile, perfectly timed kids.

The best laid plans of mice and men....<chuckle>

Elora · 04-11-2012, 08:50 PM

ds1 - 4
only age that's been hard for me

BEYOND obnoxious

Little Forest · 04-11-2012, 08:56 PM

3-3 1/2 is the toughest from my experience if I had to pinpoint it.
Posted via Mobile Device

Firebird Rising · 04-11-2012, 08:59 PM

Six is killing me...
Put together with a very verbal articulate almost four year old and I'm

most days.

Barefoot Bookworm · 04-11-2012, 09:02 PM

Yes, 3 until 3.5 STINKS in my house. I've done it twice now and oh holy banana, it's not fun. My DD2 turns 3 in December and I'm not looking forward to it.

Niphredil · 04-11-2012, 09:10 PM

I struggle with two. Which is contrary to a lot of people's experiences here... Just goes to show how much different kids and different parents strengths, weaknesses and triggers play into it.

Two, for us thus far, is a lot of sensory need, experimenting with words and power, and loooots of huge shrieky feelings.

Amber · 04-11-2012, 09:37 PM

For me 3-3.5 was the hardest. And when I had a 1.5yo and a 3.5yo at the same time...well I think I completely shut down and went into survival mode for a few months. It was hard.

SamRose · 04-11-2012, 09:48 PM

With my very verbal and less adventurous kids, 1yo was easy. But with my verbally average but physically advanced kids, young one is exhausting.
With my sweet & compliant first born son, 2y & 3y were easy. With my daughters, not so much.

OH, the drama.

From my experience w/ kids in general over the years, working with them in numerous capacities, I'd say generally speaking, at least for me, 3yo might be the toughest age. Many 3's are articulate enough to make it sound like they are totally rational beings who you should be able to reason with, but that is very rarely the case.

MarynMunchkins · 04-12-2012, 04:16 AM

Honestly, the age I dislike the most is baby.

I think under 18 months is the worst of all, and it has been for all my kids. I'm not a baby person.

04-11-2012, 08:19 PM	#1
dakotablue Rose Trellis Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,390	hardest ages? So I know for DS1 18m to about 2 years it was like a little demon child moved in. Are there other general ages that are very difficult? We are thinking about the spacing for our third (I was thinking longer than shorter, but I got to wear my new nephew today ) So What are/ were the hardest ages (and please don't say all of them ) Thanks PS...the 3 under 3 thread has be worried even though DS1 would be over 3.... __________________ SAHM Mama to three amazing kiddos Pumpkin Boy born via c/s 10/09 Love Bug Boy VBAC 2/11 Lady Bug VBAC 2/13 Proud wife to Dh since 12/06 Happily co-sleeping, breastfeeding, babywearing and homeschooling. gf/df/soy/nut free enFj

04-11-2012, 08:23 PM	#2
Marzipan Deactivated Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 6,703	Re: hardest ages? With dd 3 and 8 so far have been the hardest. With ds, 4 was by far the worst. With dd2, she's an angel and everything she does is adorable. My kids are all 2+years apart and that has worked well for us.

04-11-2012, 08:24 PM	#3
Codi Rose Garden Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 25,840	Re: hardest ages? The notorious ages around here (and by here I mean GCM) are 3 and 6. But each age has a period of disequilibrium. __________________ MOMMY TO A - 14 A - 11 N - 8

04-11-2012, 08:29 PM	#4
MiriamRose Rose Garden Growing is hard work Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: By the ocean! Posts: 4,242	Re: hardest ages? DS went through a rough patch around 16-19 months. But, we also had a lot of transition going on around that time. He is 28 months now, and I think started the 2.5 disequilibrium maybe 4-6 weeks ago. I am having a much harder time handling this stage than the 1.5...maybe because I'm pg, maybe because he really was such an angel child until recently. He is still an overall very laid-back, delightful toddler and it's all normal 2yo stuff...just the hitting and biting and testing of boundaries really frays my nerves, esp since he saves most of it for when I am alone with him. I can't wait to get on the other side of this phase to some smoother sailing for a little while. __________________ Sharon INFJ Babywearing, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, cloth-diapering mama to Zulu 11/30/09 and Echo 5/12/12 Wife to my Submariner for 5 years!

04-11-2012, 08:29 PM	#5
3boysforme Deactivated It's the Peanut! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The swamps of Louisiana Posts: 9,237	Re: hardest ages? For ds1 it was 4, ds2 its been 4 and so far 5, ds3......all of them

04-11-2012, 08:32 PM	#6
believer Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,130	Re: hardest ages? My dad used to say that with me the most difficult age was 16. W/ my oldest dd - it was probably late 17/early 18. She was tough at 3 also. In fact, she was just the most difficult of the 3 so far. __________________ Dana INTJ widow of Big Bear, mom to: B. - 16 y.o. dd J.-19yo ds M.- 25 (MIL to) A - 24 2 white cats, 3 dogs http://becauseisaidsothathswhy.blogspot.com/

04-11-2012, 08:35 PM	#7
Aisling Deactivated Even artichokes have hearts! Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 33,230	Re: hardest ages? Half ages, in general, are tough. After that, it really depends on the child/parent. Also, what triggers me might not even phase you. 3, 4 and 6 were tough for dd1. 15m, 2 and 4.5 have been tough for dd2. 3 has been tough for dd3. Three's been a really busy age that's full of big feelings, experimenting with word power, and highly sensory-charged. I have to stay on top of my 3yos all. the. time. That said, they're also remarkably delightful and verbal and imaginative. Really, try as we might have to time everything "just right", things really tend to happen the way they will, and you're bound to have your hellish age combos even with docile, perfectly timed kids. The best laid plans of mice and men....<chuckle>

04-11-2012, 08:50 PM	#8
Elora Deactivated Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 16,426	Re: hardest ages? ds1 - 4 only age that's been hard for me BEYOND obnoxious

04-11-2012, 08:56 PM	#9
Little Forest Rose Garden Rich in girls. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Perth hills, Australia Posts: 6,915	Re: hardest ages? 3-3 1/2 is the toughest from my experience if I had to pinpoint it. Posted via Mobile Device

04-11-2012, 08:59 PM	#10
Firebird Rising Rose Garden Encircling Mountains Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: High above a great and beautiful canyon in a Golden State city... Posts: 19,063	Re: hardest ages? Six is killing me... Put together with a very verbal articulate almost four year old and I'm most days. __________________ *Привет! Меня зовут Джен!* Hi! My name is Jen! May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks - Gandalf

04-11-2012, 09:02 PM	#11
Barefoot Bookworm Rose Garden Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 14,288	Re: hardest ages? Yes, 3 until 3.5 STINKS in my house. I've done it twice now and oh holy banana, it's not fun. My DD2 turns 3 in December and I'm not looking forward to it. __________________ Happily married to DH. Mama to: Ladybug (13), Lamb (12), Miss Mousie (11), Billy Goat (9), Wren and Hedgehog (5)!

04-11-2012, 09:10 PM	#12
Niphredil Deactivated Niff-er-doodle! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: My city's filthy Posts: 17,683	Re: hardest ages? I struggle with two. Which is contrary to a lot of people's experiences here... Just goes to show how much different kids and different parents strengths, weaknesses and triggers play into it. Two, for us thus far, is a lot of sensory need, experimenting with words and power, and loooots of huge shrieky feelings.

04-11-2012, 09:37 PM	#13
Amber Rose Garden Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The rainy side of Washington. Posts: 18,232	Re: hardest ages? For me 3-3.5 was the hardest. And when I had a 1.5yo and a 3.5yo at the same time...well I think I completely shut down and went into survival mode for a few months. It was hard. __________________ Amber ISFJ Wife to my wonderful DH And keeper of the boys Big M (6/03) Forever ours Dec 2012 C (6/04), Little M (10/05) Forever ours Dec 2012 K (5/06) Missing our foster daughter Miss A

04-11-2012, 09:48 PM	#14
SamRose Rose Garden I <3 these cuties! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: WI Posts: 16,728	Re: hardest ages? With my very verbal and less adventurous kids, 1yo was easy. But with my verbally average but physically advanced kids, young one is exhausting. With my sweet & compliant first born son, 2y & 3y were easy. With my daughters, not so much. OH, the drama. From my experience w/ kids in general over the years, working with them in numerous capacities, I'd say generally speaking, at least for me, 3yo might be the toughest age. Many 3's are articulate enough to make it sound like they are totally rational beings who you should be able to reason with, but that is very rarely the case.

04-12-2012, 04:16 AM	#15
MarynMunchkins Deactivated Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 38,127	Re: hardest ages? Honestly, the age I dislike the most is baby. I think under 18 months is the worst of all, and it has been for all my kids. I'm not a baby person.

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