MoMs w/ older kiddos...What stage is the hardest?

kmb585

So we are only 2 months in and don't get me wrong having newborns is tough, but it honestly it hasn't been as bad as I envisioned it to be. DH and I were talking and he thinks that as the twins get older it will get easier, which in some aspects I am sure it will but I disagree and think it will only get tougher. For example when my 2 year old runs off at the park and doesn't listen, how will I manage 2-two year olds running in different directions??? I worry that I wont get to do some of the things I did with DS1 for basic safety reasons of having to manage all 3 kids. Eeeeek! just thinking about the mobile/toddling phase scares me. What are your thoughts??? (Sorry no format bumping from iPhone).

leviandlandensmom

That is such a hard question because for me it always felt like the hardest stage was the one we were currently wading through!

browneyedgrl4282

For me newborn was a breeze with all my kids even the twins! I think 2 is rough, well no 2 was rough with my son not so much my daughter.

UsedToBeGoldie

for me - even with my singleton, about 12mo-20mo... more like 15m-20mo was the hardest... b/c they were very mobile- but falling all the time- and had no idea about what they should have fear of, etc.  Everything is so dangerous and they don't understand.

but then there was about a month... about a month or so ago- that they were TERRIBLE 2's - it was HARD- but that has been better lately- they are listening better hahaha.... until next week maybe

for me the baby non-mobile stage was so easy to them being mobile!

meldoo2002

I don't know.  I thought right before they got mobile... 12-18 months was hard because they were so ticked off all the time not being mobile.  It was easier for me once they could walk on their own.  But now I LOVE the stage and the awe of everything, but they try my patience every day like nothing ever before.  This age is HARD.  I hear 3 is worse, but at this point with all the talking back and tantrums I can't imagine worse )c:

PianoPlayingSarah

I honestly think it depends on the kids.  The first 6 months were definitely the hardest for me.  I had 3 babies who didn't need as much sleep as other babies, who didn't like to drink more than a few ounces at a time and who liked to spit up.  

At 6 months, I was finally able to put them on a schedule.  And then there was teething times 3 and learning to walk.

There are difficulties with each age but it has definitely gotten easier for us.  For example, my kids don't get into stuff.  So they never climbed over gates or ripped apart anything or threw anything in the toilet.  They've never run away from me in a store.  Their worst temper tantrums are nothing compared to what I've seen other kids pull off.    

Temp6313048411121614

For DS1 the hardest has been 3 - almost 4.  For the twins, nothing has been too bad, in the beginning I lost my temper a few times just from not having a clue what they want, but nothing too bad so far IMO.

keg

UsedToBeGoldie:

for me - even with my singleton, about 12mo-20mo... more like 15m-20mo was the hardest... b/c they were very mobile- but falling all the time- and had no idea about what they should have fear of, etc.  Everything is so dangerous and they don't understand.

for me the baby non-mobile stage was so easy to them being mobile!

Ditto this exactly.

LottaLattes

My eldest was crazy active from 3 to 4.5.  He would run off, throw tantrums, etc.  Some of it, I'm sure, was an adjustment to having a baby brother.  But as he got older, he got a whole lot easier.  I'd say that was the age that I struggled with the most.  My youngest has always been pretty easy, so it also depends a lot on the child.

Every stage is easier and harder for different reasons, I guess.  I am anxious to see how others with older multiples answer too, as I'm sure that'll be a little different too!

babya2010

MrsLee04:

0-6 months.  Each stage has its own challenges, but newborn kicked my butt.  It's so much easier dealing with kids who are potty trained, STTN, walk, talk, etc.  And things really start to get easier once they hit 4.  Right now my biggest challenge is just getting them to listen.  My DS has had a really hard time with this the last 2 days, and it has worn me out, but other than things like they are much easier as they grow older. 

Yup, this exactly. I don't do well without sleep. I mean, I REALLY don't do well without sleep. Now that mine are STTN I can handle just about anything (within reason), always knowing I'll have a little bit of "me" time after they go to bed. GL!

Saran

Pre walking (6-12mo) was a little rough cause they were so active yet needed me to get around.  As soon as they started walking good, it got easy til they hit the 2's. Then it got way hard and I had to learn MUCH patience.

I'm finding that now that they are in Pre-K, it's way hard with assignments and school stuff. Making sure they both get enough guidance and teaching and catching when one is lagging in an area. The teachers see them as a unit, not individuals and that's a problem whenit comes to learning.

gumiberg

it ebs and flows.
for example, as newborns, 6 weeks was really hard.  but then it become easy again and then hard again and then easy again.

as early toddlers, i remember 18 months being hard.  but then 19 months being normal again.

i think right now, the early 2s, are pretty fun although there are challenges.  like you mentioned, the park is pretty challenging.  but you learn how to do it..for example, i always bring a ball. they love playing ball.  they also love swings (which keeps them contained) and when we climb, we always stay on the same structure.

potty training will be hard, i know that now. 

i think that is what i like though - lots of hard stages but you know that they are stages and that they will pass. i dont expect it to ever get easy but i know it will always be easiER at some point.

kelliwill

babya2010:

MrsLee04:

0-6 months.  Each stage has its own challenges, but newborn kicked my butt.  It's so much easier dealing with kids who are potty trained, STTN, walk, talk, etc.  And things really start to get easier once they hit 4.  Right now my biggest challenge is just getting them to listen.  My DS has had a really hard time with this the last 2 days, and it has worn me out, but other than things like they are much easier as they grow older. 

Yup, this exactly. I don't do well without sleep. I mean, I REALLY don't do well without sleep. Now that mine are STTN I can handle just about anything (within reason), always knowing I'll have a little bit of "me" time after they go to bed. GL!

This.  The newborn stage kicked my rear as well, plus it was hard on DH and that added stress to our marriage.  Plus we had major issues with my IL's at that time which didn't help.  Once they got older and started walking, exploring DH felt more comfortable as a Dad and we got better at co-parenting.  These are our first and we really didn't know what to expect.  Not to say that it's easier now, but they sleep well for the most part and play pretty well together for the most part which makes things very nice!!