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I think it is tough to say. I have taught middle school for 8 years and some years we have groups of boys who are much harder to discipline than girls, and every once and a while we get a wave of girls who are much harder to discipline than boys. I can't say for toddlers...I only have a little bit of experience in that stage.

I'm not exactly sure about toddlers, but in young children (4+) I'd say yes, the boys are harder to deal with, particularly in formal/school settings. Just speaking from my experience...based off of probably about 200-250 children. I also would agree that girls are more difficult to parent as teenagers, but I just think girls are dealing with more than boys at that age.

Just from observations, I would say yes to the younger years. All the boys are much more rambunctious and balls of energy! I think it's common to say teenage girls are "harder", but more because parents have all these fears (i.e. sex, boyfriends, predators, etc.) AND it's true female hormones are nuts! But behaviorally, I think it can be a toss up. My sister and I were both still really well-behaved as teens, and our brother was still, if not worse, trouble-maker into his teens!

I don't know. I think the teen years are hard for everyone. I'm not like most people who dread the teen years. I've done a fair amount of adolescent medicine and really appreciate how important the developmental stage is and will be excited to see my girls individuating and finding their own way in the world.

I have a fair number of friends with teens and I wouldn't say that the boys are particularly easier. They may internalize the angst a little more, but that actually scares me a little. What don't I know about?

@mrbee: I've said as much on different threads but I think that some of it could have to do with what parents expect from and consequently encourage in each gender. It'd be impossible to determine how much is inherent vs. taught. Working as a nanny and childcare provider it seemed like time and time again I'd hear from the parents, in front of the kids, explaining/excusing that their girl was "such a drama queen" and their boy was "all rough and tumble". It's all over kids apparel, in book plots, on TV shows. I can't imagine that none of it is internalized!

In all my experience with family and babysitting and friends' kids, that's true. That's what terrifies me about having boys. Being around my twin 2 year old cousins gives me chest pains!! (Not that girls are a piece of cake!) And I agree that girls start to be crazzzzy in middle school or so!!!

I've always thought the opposite of what your friend thinks, but I don't have years of experience working with kids. I will have to ask DH what he thinks since he works with high school kids. My mom has 2 boys and 2 girls and she said that my sister and I were easier on her than my brother's...and that's for our entire childhoods.

As far as when they're toddlers I notice that the boys are rougher with play but other than that they don't seem like more trouble.

Personally, I would rather raise girls than boys because I feel like girls are easier (but not easy) for a host of reasons.

I think my mother would agree that toddler boys and teenagers girls are more difficult. Of course, she had twin boys, so they had each other to feed off of, which may have helped make them more rowdy. But my mom has said multiple times that the day her girls (3 of us) turned 13, was the day we all lost our minds. My youngest sister is 18 and I'm pretty sure they can't wait for her to move out. My teenage brothers are super easy and vey loving.

I heard this too. I've got a toddler boy, and yes, he has a TON of energy, but he's able to channel it well (for a 2yo!), so it's not a problem. He also generally pays attention to us. I don't think he's particularly 'hard' to parent. He's my chief data point on this subject, though!

I think the statement is a bit unfair to both boys and girls. I definitely see non-physical differences between boys and girls even at age 2-3, so I don't dispute that as a general matter, there are likely to be differences in the teen years, but I think the 'easy'/'hard' distinction is problematic. If you're really into running around, sports, and 'rough housing'-type play, little boys may seem like a cakewalk to you. If you want your little boy to sit still and play quietly, you could feel that they have too much energy, and that's a 'problem'. I feel like the 'who's hardest' observation is more a reflection of the adult speaker's expectations than the children.

I kind of agree based on B's preschool class. Honestly, the girl's in his class are a little mean while the boys are just wild. All boys and girls are different though so it doesn't have to be true.

The little girls I know seem more socially complex than the boys I know. I can imagine that makes them "easier" to teach. The boys I know seem like they have more energy and enthusiasm.

@honeybear: well said!