[Stormster]

I can't wait until 6 for some reason

When he can walk along side me and not run off
Read his first books (I think?)
Play with those cute science experiment toys and at his art table/easel
Do his karate if he likes that
Ask lots of questions.
Potty trained (we hope!)

to me six is just like the perfect little boy age! But we shall see!

[melissa_bear003]

I honestly don't have a 'favourite' age. There are wonderful things so far about each age and stage that I haven't really found a favourite. Each age and stage has its...challenges too

[lovemy2boys]

Originally Posted by Stormster

to me six is just like the perfect little boy age! But we shall see!

It IS the perfect age (if I my be so bold, and not at all biased )

They are old enough to do things for themselves, but still young enough to need their mom.

They are old enough to know all the super heros, villians, sidekicks, etc. but still young enough to believe that they can eventually be one.

They are old enough to help with things like cooking, baking, etc, but still young enough to want to do it with you.

They are old enough to play sports/instruments/whatever, but still young enough to look right at you to look directly at you to make sure you saw them shoot the ball into the basket/maintain their balance on skates/what have you.

They are old enough to read, but still young enough to want to be read to.

They are old enough to "know" that when you go to Disney, the Characters arent real, but still young enough to get the pleasure from seeing them anyway.

They are old enough to be able to confidently separate themselves from you, but still young enough to let you give them a hug and kiss goodbye...well, most of the time.

I love 6. I can't wait to see what 7 will bring...and lucky enough to have one more little guy who's not quite there yet.

[Stormster]

i can't wait!
ETA I know, I know don't rush these years away!

[EZ2Luv]

Three to four was my favorite age as far as going to museums, the library and things they could understand. They were already potty trained and I was able do so many fun things and they were able to interact so much more. Also a lot less melt downs.
Although I loved and savored every age and clebrated every milestone, it was alot more fun when they were able to verbalize and actually speak without the frustration of not knowing how to get their words out(I hope that made sense).

EZ

[makarios79]

I personally love the 6 months to 24 months period

Newborn stage is hard.....Sleep deprivation is not fun and extremely tough as a single parent who has to work full time...

By 6 months most of the babies in my family were sleeping all the way through the night.....

The late infant and early toddler stages are the best for me....They are beginning to learn and do so much on their own, but they still need/want to be babied...

I will be glad when the toddler stage is OVER!!!!!! The terrible 2 & 3s are so not fun......lol

[Stormster]

Isn't 13-24 months considered Toddler too?

What is that time? I've read Junior Toddler etc...

[FullQuiverMamma]

They are SO funny at age three. They say the funniest things. My nine year old is very dear, wants to marry me, live at home forever, help out all the time... 11-13 were hard for me as the hormonal influences are high...

[DebCsMom]

We have children aged 20, 18, 8, 6 & 5. Two are biological & the 3 younger we adopted at birth. I LOVED birth until preschool the MOST!!! I love the being needed completely!! The preschool through grade school is fun! I love the learning process, the language development & social skills mature!
THEN MIDDLE SCHOOL HAPPENS!! OH LORD HELP ME!!!! Along with middle school girls come hormones!! Mood swings!! Don't know what to say because it may be wrong, was okay the day before though!! They think we don't know a thing & were NEVER young & could NEVER understand! Boys hormones kick in!! Still loves momma though, but sadly breaking away for the love of the month!
Then high school! The girls STILL knows everything & even more than we do! We know absolutley NOTHING & she tells us every chance she gets!! Their mouth is out of control & grounding does no good. Can't stand them in the huse that long to be grounded! LOL The boy now knows everything, NO LONGER a mommas boy, won't even kiss or hug in public anymore. Doesn't even want to be seen with us. No one ever loved them like the new girl!
Then she moves away! We were MAYBE right about SOMETHINGS after all. We talk about everything & are best friends! The boy on the other hand talks like he is the boss! On the out the door!!!
Can we keep them no older than 9?????

Deb

[startedover]

I am going to do this backwards since I basically like MOST all the ages. But the hardest ages for me to get through were:

with my oldest daughter now 19: 7 and 8 were hard years. Baby talk, whinning and of course a toddler brother didn't help. Everything before that was great and everything after has been even better than great. She is truely my best friend.

with my now 13 year old son: 10 & 11 seemed to be his "test" mom age. again everything before and after GREAT. (ok he is 13 so maybe not great, hormones kicking in and all)

with my 22 month old: 40 years old. Yes, I mean as a parent not a child. Cracking knees, falling alseep in the chair, crows feet at the corner of your eyes in the family portrait. No seriously LOVING IT ALL. The period after the adoption finalized seemed to be a little hard. I could finally breath and now I had a child that was mobile. But then they start communicating and life gets GREAT AGAIN. You know their needs.

[finallyamom0310]

Originally Posted by mondk

My 11 y.o. preteen boy is driving me right up the wall...he sasses me and has an attitude when it comes to chores. But he is a great help with Joshie; he will even change poopy diapers.

As for Joshie's age (15 mos. now)...I like newborns, but I love it when they start to talk. Joshie is starting to say things back to us that are really cute. I also like the stage after they are potty trained; trying so hard to be independent.

Blessings, Michelle

Michelle, I think I am right there with you. My DSS is 16 now and an attitude you wouldn't believe. Good luch with your preteen.

DD is almost 20 months, talks, sings, dances, tries to please mommy... so the perfect age. I can honesly say I love babies but don't need to go through the baby age again. I will play with anyone else's babies though.

[joskids]

My children range in age from 2-1/2 to 34 years old. Yep, you heard it right!

I absolutely ADORE the 18 mo. old age because they are learning to talk and you begin to see the beginnings of your child and their "opinions" and desires. Our youngest is almost 3 and it's a terrific age, albeit the attitudes but, still, her speech is incredible and there's something new every single day that makes us smile.

BUT, aside from all that -- I just love that I have two grown daughters, ages 25 and 30, and now being able to be not only their mother, but their "friend." It takes an awful lot of parenting to get to that point but darn, it is SO WORTH being as close to both of them and being able to count on them as much as they can count on me.

[makarios79]

Originally Posted by Stormster

Isn't 13-24 months considered Toddler too?

What is that time? I've read Junior Toddler etc...

I don't know if this is the "official rule," But I consider toddler stage to be 1 y/o- 3y/o
I love early toddler stages (I guess I would consider 13 months to 24 months)...it seems like right before they hit 2 they develop this major attitude and it lasts until age 4 and often times beyond...lol

My oldest son just turned 4 yesterday...so I got one that's not a toddler anymore...YAY!!!

I don't know about anyone else but somedays I am ready to ship my 2.5 y/o away...He is the epitome of a child going through the "terrible twos." lol! It doesn't help that he is also spoiled rotten....

[loveajax]

Makarios, Happy Belated Birthday to your son!!! My DD will be 4 on her next bday and it sounds sooooo old!!

I remember my DD hitting the "terrible 2s" at about 18 months (oh, she was such a sweetheart until then!!!!). With her, I find that there are like two "good months," then two "bad months"....we just got thru a rough patch and I am "hoping" we are in a good one now!!