what age do you think is toughest from birth-6 years old?

Question

i've found that 3 years old is the most defiant and challenging so far. just interested to hear what other parents think.

Answer 1

I called it "Bossy Three." However, remember now baby has got it all together. S/he is potty trained, can communicate basic needs, is mobile and wants to express her/himself. When you get your act together you want to take it on the road. For the first time in her/his life baby is fully in control of everything her/his body can do!
Give some autonomy. Let the child choose clothing to dress her/himself. Just make sure clothes coordinate when you buy them and are appropriate for the season. Give choices for dinner of entrees, but don't go out of the way to offer what is not on the table. Toddler demanding too many sweets? Don't buy them and bring them into the house. This too shall pass. Enjoy this phase of development. And then...

God help you...

because all too soon...

S/he'll become...

A TEENAGER...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Answer 2

3 and 4

Answer 3

Because I called the second year the "terrific twos" because I was so amazed by my child's independence and assertiveness, I thought the threes were just amazing - a real blossoming of personality, preferences. I thought the first year was the toughest in that providing human milk on demand, never letting my baby cry, providing interesting, appropriate, and not-overstimulating stimulation, being worried about every strange noise, was the most physically demanding phase of parenting. To go from totally self-indulgent to completely devoted to a helpless being who literally wanted to drain me dry was amazing.

I'd always heard spanking and early day care use make kids more defiant - never spanked and raised them ourselvs and our kids just weren't defiant, beyond that phase were a toddler looks to make sure we saw they were touching again the object we said, 'no touch' about. And tho consequences would be swift, (gentle, and appropriate), inwardly I was smiling at their spirit!

Answer 4

I am so with you on the 3 years old. My son is 3, and just into so much stuff I can't even list it all. He is really a handful. My daughter was at 3 too.

They're old enough to make a huge mess, but not really old enough to restrain themselves. It's a hard age.

Answer 5

wel let me tel u i got a son and he is 2 almost 3 in feb and well i always heard that da worst years were da terrible twos and well i was hoping he would get better but now hes hittin em 3 year old and still is a brat so im hoping after da three he gets better but for now i gatta say da terrible 2s is the most challenging year going by da way my son acts!! but well see this is my first child so i wouldnt know if it gets better after the 3 year old

Answer 6

Terrible 2's, horrible 3's and horrendous 4's. Starts to get a little better after that. But, downhill once again when the teenager arrives.

Answer 7

For the child - when they are just learning to talk and they get so frustrated when they can not explain what is on their minds. So , about 2 .


For parents - 3 years. They want to be more independent , but still can not do things on their own. So, they become fussy and ornery.

Answer 8

You ain't seen nothing yet, adolescent years, oh the heck with that the teenage years will literally "kill" you. The challenges are just beginning, enjoy these years, stop anticipating and just go with the flow, this person will be in your life for the rest of your life. I wish mine were still that young, but life goes on. God Bless.

Answer 9

I'll give you an answer that will suprise you. They are all difficult. Just different. My kids are all adults, at least they are supposed to be. And I am sure my mother who is 88, thinks I am a pain in the butt at times. You NEVER get away from being a parent.

Answer 10

My son went into his terrible 2's at 18 months and it lasted until he was 5. So I would say in between there.