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Newborn, Toddler, School Age, Teens- What's Your Favourite Stage?

8 replies

dizietsma · 04/12/2006 20:58

I hated the newborn stage. They do nothing very interesting and demand, demand, demand. I have this theory that parents who liked the newborn stage have either selectively forgotton how utterly draining it is or prefer to have complete control over their kids.

DD is MUCH more fun now she's a toddler, I love all the fun things we can do together and I love watching her explore the world. Sure the tantrums are a pain, but I'll take tantrums over 2 hours sleep a night any day!

Not really qualified to answer the next two stages, but I'm interested in other people's opinions.

OP posts:
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Gemmasmummy · 05/12/2006 10:44

I agree, mine is 2 years 9 months and it's just got better and better since she was born. Hopefully I will be better prepared for the next baby - if the newborn stage is hard work at least I know it'll pass.

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Gemmasmummy · 05/12/2006 10:44

I agree, mine is 2 years 9 months and it's just got better and better since she was born. Hopefully I will be better prepared for the next baby - if the newborn stage is hard work at least I know it'll pass.

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HuwEdwards · 05/12/2006 10:49

love primary school age.

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Tortington · 05/12/2006 10:50

from age 6 - 11

golden

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CranberryJelley · 05/12/2006 10:55

I am discovering that my favourite is whatever I am at at the time.

When my third was born, I lovedthe newborn bit. now I'm loving 9 months.

My oldest is 7 and I am finding wonderful things about this age, too.

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izzybiz · 05/12/2006 10:56

I have a very nearly 14 year old DS and a 2.6 year old DD.

I love newborns! All they do is feed and sleep.
They are always where you leave them! They dont answer back, they dont have opinions!
Saying that, toddlers are tiring but fun, they do make you laugh all the time and the enjoyment they get out of the smallest things is so lovely.

Primary school age is nice too, they are usually still well behaved then, its as they get older and turn into teenagers it gets really hard.

Everything is a worry, you have to let them out without you, you worry about other teens being a bad influence, smoking, drinking, drugs.
Then there is their school work and behaviour to worry about, you worry about their future.
I worry about girls all the time, will he start having sex too young? I had him at 16 and it is my biggest fear that he will get someone pregnant!

Its not all bad though, on the odd occasion when he is talking civilly and being generally a nice lad, i get very proud and think, maybe i am doing all right as his mum?
Just have to go through this all again with DD now!!

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LazycowLyinginaManger · 05/12/2006 16:18

ditto completely what dizietsma said

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happystory · 05/12/2006 16:32

Interesting question. I remember clearly thinking 4 was a lovely age, they're quite independent,have hopefully grown out of toddler tantrums, are articulate and eating and sleeping quite regularly (helps the sanity of parents!) but now with a teen and a nearly teen am enjoying them both, such inquiring minds, still learning so much every day, especially about people and relationships.
However, I add hastily, my dd is pre-teen so beter not speak too soon....

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