My husband said the other day that he thought everyone that told us babies were harder as they got older was completely wrong. He went on and on about how much easier our son is now (he's 14 mos and is walking, climbing, and generally a typical into everything toddler). Needless to say, I didn't agree! I was wistfully thinking of those days when I could strap him into the sling and vacuum or lay him on the activity mat next to me while I fold laundry. Now he LOVES "helping" me with the laundry by unfolding everything I've folded. He chases the dog and tries to chew on his tail. Today I looked over and he was standing on his ride along toy trying to climb into the pack and play. He's mastered going up stairs and heads right for them as soon as they come into view (going down is not so much mastered). He gets really angry when he can't climb into the cabinets (he's a big little guy). He's into everything and I can't take my eyes of him for a second! I get it that my husband thinks he is so much easier now because when he cries it's much easier to fix, he can play with him, he says "dada!" whenever hubby comes home from work and is alll around much more interactive than the infant stage but it is so exhausting! What do you think? I told him that this age is definitely more fun, but I wouldn't classify it as easier. Is it a gender (or stay at home parent vs working parent) thing that makes the toddler easier than the infant or do you agree with him?
14 months is a hard age, but I would NEVER say that it's harder than the newborn stage (see my last post! ;) ) This difficult time is over very soon. I believe it's different for every kid & parent.
Just wait, Mom. Your husband will change his tune as soon as the "cute little guy" turns into a terrible two toddler who screams "NO!!" and runs through the house screaming at the top of his lungs. Terrible two's and trying three's can be brutal.
Your husband doesn't do as much with him as you do, so he doesn't get it. It's only when a dad is "on point" with a child (like stay at home dads) that they "get" these things.
Smiles~
Dawn
I don't think I sat down from the time she started walking until at least a year later! Well, except when I was at work. I thought this was the most physically demanding age. I lost the last few lbs of baby weight because I couldn't ever finish a meal. Eventually, of course, your little one will be old enough to not need to be watched every minute!
I remember when I was pregnant with my first and a neighbor told me:
"no matter how uncomfortable you are now or how uncomfortable you will become, your baby is much easier to take care of where she is than after she is born" yeppers all the way
I love every stage. Though my 19 month grandson sure gives me a workout ---- into everything and runs way to fast and well.
No, I do not think the toddler stage is really easier than the infant stage. It depends on the child though. I think all kids go through a "difficult phase" at some point. My son got "easy" after he turned 3. Pretty much a breeze for almost a year and a half...hope it lasts!
I agree with you, My husband agrees with your husband he has told me more than once he is so thankful our kids are older and tell us what they want he HATED the infant stage and I loved it. they are 13 and 10 now and there are so many days I wish they were little and couldn't talk yet:)LOL
The toddler stage is killing me. From the time my second could walk to even today (2.5yo). Of course, my second is particularly active, curious, independent, and destructive (part of the curious, I think). I'm hoping (hoping, hoping) that we'll be through the worst of it in a year.
That said, her older sister was pretty easy until she turned 3yo, and she got pretty tough for 2 years or so. All kiddos are different.
I loved traveling with them as infants. Soooo much easier than walking, moving, willful toddlers.
Yeah this is a tough question because I agree with both of you!! :) I think you are right about the infant stages...at least with one child I could get so much done and then when they started moving my house was (who am I kidding...is) a total mess all the time. And the "helping" can be challenging!
But, I'm happy that toddlers can communicate better and interact more and generally be more fun, which sometimes makes things easier, and sometimes harder!
My kids are 2 and 4 and I have my days where I seem to find everything challenging and then I see my brother who is a single parent to his 16 y/o daughter and I think...wow, I haven't seen anything yet! ;) So, I think each stage brings things that get easier, AND things that get harder!
I think the toddler stage is the hardest. My oldest is only 6, so I haven't encountered the teen or even preteen years, but so far that's been the hardest so far. I do think that the newborn stage often runs a close second.
My 3 year old is still a bundle of energy and gets into everything, so he's still quite a bit of work. He does communicate much better, though, and I think that's a huge part of what makes the toddler years such a challenge. If they are upset or disappointed they just don't know how to deal with their emotions or how to let you knwo what they want. It felt like a constant guessing game.
Life with a 6 year old isn't always easy, but at least we can sit down and have a conversation and work together. He can be a bit crazy, but he can also calm down when told to. He's really beginning to understand how he needs to behave in different situations. We can take him to church and know that he will be quiet (as long as we bring a coloring book).
Overall I do think it gets easier. Ask me again in 5 years!
