Favorite stage as a parent

[PollyannaMom]

Inspired by the surrogacy thread, what is/was your favorite stage as a parent?

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm a sucker for babies. But there was much to love about every stage.

 

[bjscheel]

I said Elementary but it's been fun all along. Even teen years. Our main struggle then was over college selection and budget with DD20. So, not bad.

 

[Southernmiss]

All stages have their merits.

Our youngest is 20. Our oldest is 27.

One of our 4 20 somethings is in limbo in life. This is the hardest stage.

I hope they'll find their place soon.

 

[VandVsmama]

Every stage is a new adventure.

 

[amcnj]

No clunkers so far. I am hoping the “caring for your elderly parents” stage is also a good one!

 

[Ghost Host 998]

I really enjoy the stage in the American pavilion at Epcot. Plenty of room for the kiddos to spread out and it never really feels crowded/cramped.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Well, mine are still young so I’m going to say whenever they’re sleeping is my current favorite stage. As I alluded to in the surrogacy thread, the postpartum recovery after having my first was by far the worse stage thus far.

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

My two are 20 and 17 and I really like the young adults they’re turning into. I do miss the infant stage.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Probably toddler.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Hmmm, so babies are very hard IMO but toddler right up to puberty was heaven, everything about my little family was bliss for a nice chunk of time.
I could have lived without the stress on me from puberty clear through college graduation, I adore them and would do it all again but yikes, I needed to be on top of my game 24/7 and it was exhausting.... tricky years with lots of hurdles and quicksand you don't see until you are stuck.
Being a parent of adult kids feels like a new stage that is vibing like it could maybe be nice... it's nice to go out, split the bill and have a cocktail with them these days

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I enjoyed all of them. Not sure I have a favorite. I did relax a little when they could finally be trusted not to run out into the road.

 

[nancipants]

My son is only 2.5, but I had a really hard time during the newborn phase.

 

[martikus]

9/10. Becoming real people, can be left alone occasionally and just nice.

I’m finding 15 REALLY exhausting. These teen hormones are no joke.

 

[disykat]

I loved the preschool years. I was home full time with them at that point but had some free time a few mornings a week while they were at a preschool program. They were enthusiastic about everything! Going to the park was an adventure. I had finally gotten used to not working outside the home and was gearing up to go back when they hit elementary school, but it felt like a really nice interlude.

 

[Figment Mom]

I love, love, love the preschool years. And ages 5-9ish are great, too. My kids are 10 years apart so just when one was entering the rocky preteen/teen years, I got to enjoy those golden years of early childhood all over again.

I have a feeling I'll enjoy the adult years, too, as long as we have a successful launch into adulthood. The jury is still out on that.

 

[kymom99]

I had so much fun when my son was in high school. He was also pretty darned cute when he was in preschool and thought I was a princess

 

[Coonhound]

Can’t choose pregnancy as I’m male I would say my favorite with my son and then granddaughter was Infant/toddler. Infancy is so precious, so innocent, a cozy time. It’s the easiest time in my opinion- yes we had so many long nights and exhaustion but it’s really such a simpler time when you think about it- it’s before you get into any drama, school troubles, etc. also toddler time is a fun a time of discovering the world around you.

 

[easyas123]

Adulthood for sure. Not that any of the other stages were that bad - difficult sometimes, but in the spirit of brutal honesty I never was one that found babies or toddlers all that cute or fun!

 

[unrequited23]

It's a toss up between when a baby just discovers it's feet and will rock on it's back with a gummy smile and giggle while trying to grab them and that moment when reading just clicks with your child and they are off to the races reading anything and everything.