My 10 year old asked me who my favorite child was and I told her it was whoever wasn’t being a pain in the butt at that very moment. I was only half joking. 😉 Some moms really enjoy a certain stage or age range more than others but that’s not quite me either. Each of my 3 children is very different and I’ve realized that I really did enjoy each child differently at each stage and it really kind of was who was less of a pain in the butt, ha.
None of my children were “easy” babies but my youngest didn’t have colic (thank goodness!) and was generally happy. He cried when he needed something, which most often was just to be held and snuggled by me, or to comfort nurse. It was pretty easy to fulfill those needs. He was happy to be toted around in a baby carrier and babywearing left my arms free to wrangle the other kids. I think his gentle birth and co-sleeping helped him feel more secure.
When my youngest hit the “terrible twos” and the “threenager” stages, the memories came rushing back. Since there are nearly 7 years between my oldest and my youngest, I’d experienced a bit of momnesia about that part. I scratched my head and realized that my middle didn’t have a lot of that. Sure, we had power struggles, testing and tantrums typical to that age range, but nothing that made me want to run off and join the circus.
He was a joy as a toddler. He was (and is) inquisitive, mechanically inclined and sensitive. He’s the child that reminds me the most of myself as a little girl. It has always surprised me when I’ve said or asked something and he’s actually listened to me and done what I asked!
His brother was born when he was 2 1/2 and though I spent plenty of time playing with him, he was also capable of playing by himself with blocks while I cleaned, or digging outside while I rested my feet and watched him. Um, well, except that one time when I was cleaning the bathrooms and he flushed a plastic toy wrench while I had my back turned. $100 plumber’s bill later and all was well. I didn’t clean the bathrooms for a while after that, ha ha.
I only have one tween but this is by far my favorite stage with her. There are definitely difficult moments (that I’m sure will get even harder as the years go on) but it’s been so rewarding to see her grow into a young lady, beautiful inside and out.
She is caring & compassionate (not often towards her brothers unfortunately!) and is smart as a whip.
We all know moms don’t get sick days so when I had the stomach bug (after having been up the nights before cleaning up after sick kiddos) I had to just keep on trucking. When it was mostly out of my system but I was still feeling miserable the day after Thanksgiving, she helped around the house and with her brothers so I could sit on the couch and try to recuperate a little bit. It was very sweet and a refreshing change to feel like someone cared. (Sick moms know what I mean – see meme above!)
When no one is making me feel twitchy, I can sit back and think to myself “what did I do to deserve this?” with no hint of sarcasm. Mostly when they are all asleep. 😉
Has one stage (or one chid at that stage) been easier or more enjoyable for you than another?
Maria wants to live in a world where cloth diapers are the norm and moms can make parenting choices without judgement. When she’s not chasing her 18, 14 and 11-year old kids around, you might find her checking out the latest gadgets, organizing something (again) or exercising in the fresh air. 
My son is a total threenager! I’m really feeling like 2007 Britney lol! But I love him to pieces. I’m just worried his 9 month old sister isn’t training to be his little minion hahaha
Oh jeez I hope not, ha. Sending you my sympathy until this passes for both of us!
Where is the “like” button? 😉