Hellobee Boards

15 months to 26 months was the golden era - so much fun and so eager to please and easy going. I am seeing flashes of the terrible twos and I'm already not sure I know what to expect or how to handle it which is scary

I would say 6-12 months. He was a colicky newborn, but by 6 months, he became the happiest, easiest baby. He's 17 months now and I am finding the 15-17 months (and still going) phase very difficult. He's tons of fun and I love watching a little personality emerge, but the whining is making me crazy. He wants to be held more now at 17 months than he did at 7 months!

DD is 5 months but so far, the newborn stage was my favorite! She was never awake all night to play, just are I went back to sleep, has never been up for the day before 6am. She would fall asleep anywhere at anytime, playing with her toys, just hanging out, etc. I don't know why her good sleep stopped but I kinda miss it! Although, the fact that she laughs & plays now is priceless but she is definitely no longer what I would define as easy.

6-12 months - before the defiance and whining started He's a ton of fun now at 20 months but its hard to keep a balance between constant correction/discipline/distraction and letting him explore his world.

L is only 9 months, but I feel like he's consistently getting easier...every stage has led to something like better sleep, more personality, better at independent play, etc. And he's not old enough to talk back, the only word he knows is dada! Haha

6-12 months was a lot of fun. He started STTN and got more mobile. From 13-now at 18 months old, he's started testing boundaries and do tantrums. The tantrums have been the worst part. It's all in how you manage them is what I'm learning. Some weeks and mornings are better than others.

The newborn stage was the best for me, lo was a great sleeper, great eater and I got all the snuggles I wanted! She was an easy-going baby thankfully. But I've loved every stage now, she's almost 17 months and can definitely see her personality - especially how stubborn she is

With my first, before 3. He was such a good little boy! After he turned three it just got worse and worse... I'm hoping the 5 is the turning point for him. He can be good but he just chooses not to when he's upset. With my second it was the first 6-8 months. Yep, lucky me! He's a tough one this little boy! But he's also the funniest little kid too and knows it!

@Mrs. Bee: Fours have been SO tough for us. I thought maybe it was attributed to the overseas move but it has only gotten a teensy bit better now that we're settled. He'll be 5 in two months and I'm keeping my fingers crossed it does get a little better. I'll take a little over anything! And my youngest, I have no words...but he really makes up for it with his cute personality and humor. I'm just going to prepare for the worst! Parenting is just tough in general.

She was a super easy baby - always so happy and cheerful! I think the first year as a whole wasn't so bad, but 6-11 months was so much fun.

The second year has been more difficult. She's still relatively "easy" but is really clingy and whiny. Plus she's super attached to me, which can make things kinda tiring. I'm hoping her third year will get better, once she can communicate and talk more.

@Mrs. Bee: I think trying to stay consistent with discipline is still key. There are times (not full days, unfortunately) he is really good and doesn't fight me on things but, like you said, he can go from 0-60 in a second too. And he's been running and jumping around all day long which drives me insane. Probably has to do with the testosterone surge you mentioned. And the jealousy of his little brother is always there. That's the part that makes it hard for us. He's SO jealous of his little brother even if we've tried to be as fair as we can with the two of them. I think a good part of his tantrums these days is due to jealousy. Even our helper has noticed it too. Oh, and they fight over toys all day long. Someone is always crying.

4m-10m.
Basically after the NB colic days but before the cruising and mischief days

We are at 5mths now and it's getting easier all the time...probably because she's becoming more chilled and predictable.

LO is only 5 months old but so far I would say months 2-4. She started STTN, smiling, and was easily transportable. At 4 months she went through a very cranky phase which thankfully is over but at 5 months she won't nap anymore anywhere but my arms

DD1: 5 yo - such a fun, innocent age! she just turned 6 yo and so far, it's even better!! we had speech trouble issues during toddlerhood and it's spilled over to now too, but it's 100x better... Her conversations and intelligibility are catching up, she's learning to read which is a lot of work (but very fun and exciting), and she's an overall good, happy kid and big sister!

DD2: hmm she's always been pretty tough. She has a fiery spirit. Infancy was not it... she was a horrible napper and sleeper. I nursed all.the.time. I guess 18 months - now (2.5 years) has been pretty fun. She has tantrums and mood swings, but perhaps they are just easier for me to handle the 2nd time around. I like that she's weaned, her speech is very on point for her age, and she's easier to take around town.

I think it all just keeps getting easier and easier! 12-18 has been super easy!

i am finding right now to be the easiest so far, at 15 months. LO is becoming independent and can play by himself on the floor while i do other stuff. He has been a greater sleeper finally doing his full nights most of the time.