Parents of Adult Children: What was the hardest age your child went through and why?

Answer 1

Teen years thanks to the usual: hormones, personal identity, transition to adulthood, questioning of authority.

Answer 2

The hardest age for us was when my daughter was l9. My friends say the same thing about their boys. It's an age where they want the freedom of an adult, but none of the responsibility. Also, they want to drink, drug, stay out all night, and their response to your complaints are often, I'm over l8 now, I can do what I want. The only trouble is they are living in your house, making you sick with worry, and lots of the time you are still washing their clothes, feeding them and taking care of their needs while they are walking all over you. I probably would have made her move out if she had been working, but she was going to school at the time and only working part time. It is a time of pure hell!!!! I found that until my daughter actually moved out she never acted like a responsible person living under my roof. Until they have to earn their own money, live on a budget and take responsibility for themselves it just doesn't seem to happen. The hard part is getting them to leave!!!!

Answer 3

For all of them it was definitely the teenage years; different ages for each though. And each went through the difficult part for various lengths of time...
#1: ages 11-13
#2: ages 14-17
#3: ages 12-22 (!!! it was almost as painful for me!!)
#4: ages 12-15

Answer 4

well, i can say that the hardest age i went through was 15. I was getting mixed in with everything and didnt know what to do. I would try this and that so I could be cool at school. That was a very hard age and i never want to relive it.

Answer 5

Most people think the "terrible twos" are the worst age, since babies are beginning to become more independent. However, I think the teen years are the most difficult for the same reasons. In their struggle to be independent, and at the same time to follow the crowd, they are torn between freedom from parental jurisdiction, and peer pressure. It's no wonder they become confused, angry, petulent and depressed at times. But like all stages of development, this too, thankfully, shall pass.

Answer 6

The hardest time that children go through is at the adolescent stage because they are exploring, learning and trying to get use to the new experience.

Answer 7

Our son turned 16 today. his grades go up and down. he thinks at times his friendships are going to pot. but they are not. he took drivers training and went gung ho on it and now does not care to drive or study for the state test. He hates some subjects. he fails at tests but is very active in classroom work and does well on homework. He is a gamer. he struggles with his weight. he wonders if he will ever get a job. He never wants to leave home. Wants to make money at home but knows it will come even if he does not work. spoiled. wonderful intellegent smart loving. But this is the hardest time we have had so far.......

Answer 8

Both my children, Emily and Michael, from age 12 to about 15.
there was nothing I could say, or do, or communicate or allow or buy or have or be that would make them happy. They were on their own trying to be people themselves and separate themselves from "mommy" to be young adults. It was hard for me to watch.

now they are 21 and 24, and they have developed into wonderful humans, despite my trying to mold them into what I thought they should be.. :o)

Answer 9

the teenage years, no doubt about it.
as is true for most people I know, the teen years are hardest, all the hormonal changes, the changing responsibilities and expectations. It was a rough time for my sons, and for me.

Answer 10

My dad said between 16-21. (driving, drinking, drugs, the opposite sex, getting and staying in school/college, the secrecy, fights among peers, money issues, arrests, depression, learning neighborhood kids had committed suicide, etc.)
There are 5 kids in my family, and we are all one year apart. They are my best friends now, but I wanted to kill my brothers and sisters when I was a teen. (too much time in the bathroom, stealing clothes, cars, diaries, boyfriends, etc.) I agree with my dad.

Answer 11

Well, I am not a parent. But I can tell you from experience that the hardest years of my life (at least, so far) were the teenage years (12ish-19ish).