official "what age does it get better" thread

I feel like a poop for posting something so shallow, in the middle of all the campaign posts and Catholicism discussions...

But I am :banghead: with my kids this week, and throwing myself a very grand one-person pity party. They are sick with colds, and the MESSES (snot, drool, poopy diapers, spilled sippy cups, cereal scattered all over the floor, clothes dragged out of laundry baskets, I could go on) are wearing me down!

They were sick on my birthday a couple days ago. :bummer:
I spent the afternoon baking a casserole for DH to take to the first big neighborhood party since we've moved here, so he could go throw horseshoes and inhale pipe smoke (ETA: secondhand! ) with the rest of the interesting earthy characters around here, while I stayed home and wiped noses.

I have got to get over this. Kick me in the butt... or better yet - PLEASE - remind me what age it starts to get better?

(BTW - I love my kids dearly. Just felt the need to make that clear...)

[Flynn]

Re: official "what age does it get better" thread

How old are they again?

For me, two years old was key but lots of my friends think I'm nuts. I much prefer a talking kid -- someone who can explain things -- but my kids were verbal very early.

Three is the age where airplanes are not a level in Dante's hell.

For me the answer is 2+.

[Flynn]

Re: official "what age does it get better" thread

Might I suggest that when your hubby gets home YOU go to the party and he can stay home with the kiddos. He works and socializes everyday with other people. You deserve and need the break.

Take care.

ITA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!

[DCJenn]

Re: official "what age does it get better" thread

my mother says that 28 was when we finally turned into a 'good age'.

Not much help, probably.

For us (remember that we started at toddler), each age presents its own unique challenges and rewards. Right now I live w/ Mr. Smartmouth Backtalker but I also live with Mr. Sweety I-Love-You-Mommy.

So far, I don't have a favorite but they do seem to get progressively better. Now, the moms of tween girls may beg to differ but so far, the moms HERE seems to have more sillful tween daughters than sons.

Jenn

Re: official "what age does it get better" thread

Might I suggest that when your hubby gets home YOU go to the party and he can stay home with the kiddos. He works and socializes everyday with other people. You deserve and need the break.

Sorry... wasn't clear in my post. The party happened Saturday night. It made more sense for DH to go b/c he needed to connect with some people about neighborhood details. (And I edited to add this was secondhand pipe smoke! DH & I don't smoke, but I guess there were a lot of artsy, fascinating, accomplished people there... apparently also with bad lungs.)

I do need a break, though. Even long enough to get my hair cut...

How old are they again?

For me, two years old was key but lots of my friends think I'm nuts. I much prefer a talking kid -- someone who can explain things -- but my kids were verbal very early.

I've wondered if maybe relief is just around the corner. (They're 16 months.) It would even help if I could just set them down at the table and have them EAT their food and not feel the need to pick up the bowl and dump everything on the floor. It's about a 50/50 chance right now. And if they could go get their own kleenexes, even if they bring them to me... and yes, tell me what they need instead of crying and repeating "dat, dat." (I was up half the night with DS's crying.)

[MDPhDWife]

Re: official "what age does it get better" thread

:therethere: IMO every year gets better, especially once they are potty trained. Of course my girls have gotten sassier as they've gotten older, but at least they are somewhat independent. Hang in there, it gets better. Have you found a sitter yet? It sounds like you definitely need a break, maybe even some quality time out with your DH.

[Cumberland]

Re: official "what age does it get better" thread

One good thing for a mommy break I 'discovered' is joining the YMCA. It is 2 hours of childcare a day. When DH was on a sucky rotation I would go, do a fun class, sloooooooooooowly take a long hot shower, then check out the magazines until it had been 1:59 minutes. I had a mom here tell me she goes to IKEA a lot just for the free hour of childcare.

My older DD is 4.5yrs and she can get herself a drink and a snack, get dressed, get jammied, brush teeth, and play independently. My younger is 28 months and has been potty trained for a while now which is awesome, but she still doesnt sit through a short video or play with her sister longer than 15 minutes. I get them occupied in something and turn around 5 minutes later to see my 'shadow'. But I think she just likes being near me all the time.

[SuzySunshine]

Re: official "what age does it get better" thread

I can't answer the question but I whole heartedly agree about the YMCA if you have it as an option. 2 hours to work out and shower by myself is a great help especially now that Miss Adele is mobile.

[Vanquisher]

Re: official "what age does it get better" thread

I love 4-year-olds and up. I have having a brilliant time with both of my kids right now. If I could just freeze them right here....

I mean, of course we have our issues, but on the whole, this is fantastic.

[MDPhDWife]

Re: official "what age does it get better" thread

I love 4-year-olds and up. I have having a brilliant time with both of my kids right now. If I could just freeze them right here....

I mean, of course we have our issues, but on the whole, this is fantastic.

I couldn't agree more! Mine are 4 and 7, and I think this is as good as it gets.

[rainbabies]

Re: official "what age does it get better" thread

i like babies. babies, babies, babies. i would take a baby that needs the feeding, burping, changing, getting up in the middle of the night, needi-ness(sp?) over what i have right now.

give me the babies!!! when they start talking, they're all yours!!

dh on the other hand really enjoys the conversations, and the ability to tell a kiddo to go wipe their own buns.

[houseelf]

Re: official "what age does it get better" thread

I can honestly say that I have liked every stage to some extent. IMHO, however, your twins are at the hardest age. You have to be on top of them every minute. I swear it gets easier.

So far, my favorite age span is preschool--3 to 5.

Tara's advice on ten year olds is intriguing. I'm going to have to tuck that one away for future use.

Kelly

[bahama_mama]

Re: official "what age does it get better" thread

I have no advice or words of wisdom (I think we're pretty much in the same boat, my girls are a couple months younger than your twins). I've given up on the Cheerios all over the floor - people come over and I just laugh about it. We've got toddler twins, I figure we've got an excuse.

I'm getting together this week with a friend who has 11 month old TRIPLETS. All it takes is a couple hours with her to put my hectic/busy life into perspective.

Re: official "what age does it get better" thread

Thanks. It's reassuring to hear that this really is the hardest stage. I loved having twins from 0-6 months! This is just craziness at this point. And there is a reason pregnancies don't usually happen this close together. My belly is big and awkward - and the two older ones will be 19 months when we add an infant to the mix. Right in the thick of things. But hopefully it will be a quick five months, and then when they reach the magic age of 2, things will start looking up.

I have no idea how parents of triplets survive this stage.

[bahama_mama]

Re: official "what age does it get better" thread

and the two older ones will be 19 months when we add an infant to the mix. Right in the thick of things.

:thud: I'm new here, so I didn't realize you were pregnant too! Congrats! Holy moly, I couldn't even imagine being pregnant right now. I talk about having another baby at some point in the future (notice I say "I" since my DH refuses to even consider the idea). I'm sure with my luck I'd end up with another set of twins