Which Kid Is It? Inspired by "Time Out" thread...

[TinkerbellMama]

I am just curious...
Which # kid was it that is/was your most challenging?
My ds is a handful. My mother (who had 5 children, 4 still living) says that my brother James was HER handful, but he was #2 so she got an easy introduction to parenthood with me. I was an angel. She says I tricked her into having more kids!
So, I know I'm done for from the get-go, but I am just wondering when it happened to YOU. I can only hope and pray my next one will be a little less demanding!

ETA: To make this more on-topic, what does your "challenging child" do at WDW that your others don't/never did? Or does one of your normally "easier" children become the squeaky wheel at WDW?

 

[hsmamato2]

I have 2 kids...what do you mean, the more challenging kid??? do you mean some kids give their moms a break???
DS1 is 13,has always been a high needs kid,veryveryveryveryvery active... walked at 9 months, taking everything in the house aprt since he could walk...
ds2 has always been...veryveryveryveryveryvery active too.sat up alone at 5 months,crawling on the day he turned 6 months,by 9 months climbed onto every surface possible,we turned over chairs in the kitchen to prevent him climbing on the table, he just learned to climb up those...walked at 10 months..I used to tie him to my waist with a rope in the yard so I could garden! now that was a funny sight,and yes, I harnessed him in places like disney,till he figured out how to undo the strap things...
I stopped at 2, I was afraid to go on!
That is, both my kids are normal boys, but I've rarely had quiet or calm from either of them- they've both taken off and gotten lost in Disney when younger, I guess the biggest difference is DS2 has absolutely no fear of anything(except spiders) but show that kid a high ledge or wall with what appear to be handholds for climbing,and well, timeouts just don't do him justice...
Mom said I was her*active* kid... I dont believe her! i was a perfect child!

 

[Stephres]

My second has always been the most challenging: starting from when she was a baby with colic to tantrums she has even today (at 4 years old). She was a late talker so I think her temper started from not being able to be understood. She is a wonderful independent child, but don't stand in her way if she doesn't want to do what you want her to!

She is usually better behaved at Disney, believe it or not. I think it is because we go there often and she knows there will be lines and crowds. As long as we take her to see some characters and let her run around on the playground she is happy. The worst part is when we want to sit down in a restaurant and eat. She wants to go, go, go!

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I have 2 kids...what do you mean, the more challenging kid??? do you mean some kids give their moms a break???
DS1 is 13,has always been a high needs kid,veryveryveryveryvery active... walked at 9 months, taking everything in the house aprt since he could walk...
ds2 has always been...veryveryveryveryveryvery active too.sat up alone at 5 months,crawling on the day he turned 6 months,by 9 months climbed onto every surface possible,we turned over chairs in the kitchen to prevent him climbing on the table, he just learned to climb up those...walked at 10 months..I used to tie him to my waist with a rope in the yard so I could garden! now that was a funny sight,and yes, I harnessed him in places like disney,till he figured out how to undo the strap things...
I stopped at 2, I was afraid to go on!
That is, both my kids are normal boys, but I've rarely had quiet or calm from either of them- they've both taken off and gotten lost in Disney when younger, I guess the biggest difference is DS2 has absolutely no fear of anything(except spiders) but show that kid a high ledge or wall with what appear to be handholds for climbing,and well, timeouts just don't do him justice...
Mom said I was her*active* kid... I dont believe her! i was a perfect child!

You have given me absolutely NO hope. Thanks!
I know EXACTLY what you mean about them being normal, sweet boys...yet never giving you a moment's break. I guess I should not laugh and point because you have TWO of them, because that will probably be me in a few years! I hear you are never given more than you can handle...so I am going to start campaigning now...I'M NOT WORTHY! Think that'll work??

 

[KristiKelly]

We have 3, DS9, DD6 & DD12mo.

DS, our 1st was a very easy child, very low maintenance. If you told him "no,no", he stopped whatever he was doing. I never had to lock drawers or cabinets. He had 1 cabinet with all the tupperware that he played in. He was not a climber, tantrum thrower or anything (of course he's now 9 and not quite the same and we have almost decided to take him out of school because there is nothing left for them to teach him - yes, he knows everything ).

Anyway, or 2nd, DD6 she was a bit more high maintenance, not a good sleeper (up 5-7 times a night the 1st 5 months), threw tantrums - still does, she is a very loud and very demanding.

Well, everyone we knew said that their 3rd was their easiest. Very easy temperment, etc. If people tell you this - DO NOT BELIEVE THEM!!!! They are just trying to sucker you into their 3 kids club . We now have a VERY high maintenance 1 y/o DD. She is much more demanding than #2 for us (or maybe we're just older and patience is wearing thin) but I think she is a very difficult baby. She is our "little souvenir" but at times she can be much less than "magical" . Seriously, I wouldn't trade her for the world but for us, each child has been harder than the previous one.

DH & I think that it's a difference in girls & boys. Our DS was much more even tempered and calm but our DD's are very demanding of our time & attention. Our 6 y/o DD has just in the past year mellowed out some and we can finally reason with her.

 

[ohiominnie]

Our #1 child was challenging from the get go. It should have been a sign that she started crying after her HEAD was born, but the rest was still in me!! I should have said "SHOVE HER BACK IN!!!!" She cried all the time (in hindsight it was probably reflux, undiagnosed) She never slept well. She hated sleeping in her crib. She cannot tolerate change very well.....if you say something is going to happen and plans change she melts down (it's not FAAAIIIIRRRRR) She challenged every single thing you did (from a very young age) She's a drama queen. She is still confrontational....it's just her.

Ds #2 soothed himself to sleep in the newborn nursery. He would fall asleep on his own whenever he was tired---didn't matter where he was. He'd fall asleep--of when he was older he'd put himself to bed. He's very easy going and flexible especially when plans change. He's Mr. Laid Back.

They are night and day!

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

My oldest DS(child#1) has always been pretty angelic. When my ex-husband left us he had some behavioral issues but I think that is understandable. He is an all around easy going awesome kid. My oldest DD(child#2) has a bit of an attitude but is in general just a peach. She is really good but a little emotional and mouthy. My youngest DD(child#3) is enough to give me gray hair!! I have a home daycare and have done daycare for the past 10 years and she is equal to like 10 rambunctious kids. OY VEY!!! Amazingly she is very good at Disney. Also, she is very pretty and tiny, so people are usually caught off-guard with her bad behavior. My youngest DS (child#4) is our honeymoon "souveneir" from WDW. I wasn't supposed to be able to have anymore and he is such a blessing. He is a very happy child and rarely even has to be told no. He makes up for his sister. Maybe God knew that I couldn't handle another wild one. We have only had 2 incidences out of 3 trips to WDW with the children. They were both with my oldest DD which is not typical. The first time it was July and we were at AK and she would not stop just freakin' out. She was 2.5 and had speech delays (she doesn't now-we couldn't shut her up if we wanted to LOL) anyways she was having an asthma attack and we didn't realize it. It was caused by all of the plants, animals, and extreme humidity in AK in July. The 2nd incident was last Nov. on the day that we were leaving and she would not stop crying in MK because she didn't want to go home yet. (understandable, yes?)
Nicole
Mom to
Keitaaron 7.5
Xeyan 5.5
Chloe 4.5
Colin 2.5

 

[reesa roo]

We have 3 kids DD16, DD12 and DS11. The two girls have always been very compliant, well behaved children. Our third child, DS 11 has always been our "challenge". He was born 11 weeks early and was in the NICU for 11 weeks, spent the rest of his first year crying non-stop. He has always been VERY active, with a short attention span and pretty strong willed. It has gotten better as he's gotten older but he is still on the high acitivity, low attention span end of the spectrum. The good news is that WDW is a great place for him!!! There is so much going on that he can get all the stimulation, exercise and activity he needs. The girls get worn out and a little whiny, but not him. It's a great opportunity for us as parents to compliment him in a setting that's made for him. The girls get lots of kudos all year long because their temperments make it easier for them to sit still and focus in school. DS needs to be going all the time so WDW is a perfect place for him.

 

[smschex]

Our last one (#4) is definitely the most challenging. You have to understand that DH thought we were stopping with two kids. I on the other hand wanted a houseful. DD is the Lord's way of letting me know that four was enough. She has had an attitude since the day she was born. Even before we came home from the hospital she refused to stay in her bassinette. She would wail at the top of her lungs, but be perfectly content as soon as she was being held. I kept her in a sling next to me for the first six months of her life just to have a little peace. This from the evil mom who let the others "cry it out" and learn to self-soothe.

Now at 6 she is bright, articulate, out-going, and afraid of nothing. She thinks she is at least 16. I keep thinking how old we will be when she really is 16!

And then I think how dull life would be without my loving, self-confident little angel. She is definitely one challenge that is worth it.

 

[KristiKelly]

My youngest DD(child#3) is enough to give me gray hair!!

I started getting gray hairs after baby #3 was born. I will definitely keep my hair stylist busy keeping my gray hair blonde.

 

[minkydog]

Well, everyone we knew said that their 3rd was their easiest. Very easy temperment, etc. If people tell you this - DO NOT BELIEVE THEM!!!! They are just trying to sucker you into their 3 kids club .

Three-Kids Club member here Before I got pregnant one of my 3-kid friends tried to warn my about being out-numbered by the kids, but would I listen? noooo...

My oldest DS19 has always been high maintenance and intense. He has ADD and learning disabilities, and later we learned, bipolar disorder. He was colicky, met all his milestones late, and was a generally miserable baby. He didn't hit his stride until 2, which actually was a pretty easy year but his was not an easy childhood. He has grown into an intense, gifted adult who marches to the tune of a different drummer. Thankfully, with no criminal record

DD13 has been my easy kid from the get-go. She has always been content to play second fiddle. She nursed quickly and easily, slept well, and had a sunny disposition. Until she hit 2 Holy cow! From 2-5 she was a terror. But she has since returned to her wonderful funny self. Her grades are okay and she knows how to enjoy her life. She is the one with a thousand friends.

DS11 has been an enigma. Born with a chromosome defect which causes mental retardation and autism, he was failure to thrive his first 2 yrs. We were really in a fight for life during that time and he didn't hit many milestones. Didn't smile until 8months, didn't take solid food until 17 months. Didn't sit up until 3yo, walked at 5yo. Non-verbal. Still, he is my laid-back, most pleasant, loveable kid. Always happy and smiling, ready to give or get a hug. Compliant and non-confrontational. We take him almost everywhere and he's well-behaved, mostly. I like to think that he would be the same way if he had been normal. But you never know.

 

[KimR]

My middle DD was by far the most challenging. She cried a lot as a baby, needed lots of stimulation, and then as a toddler she had so much energy and was always on the go. We took her to Disney when she was 2 1/2 and I had no idea what we were in store for. I was prepared for the worst, but surprisingly, she was an angel the entire time. Well, with the exception of in the mornings as we were preparing to leave - a mini-meltdown each and every day. But once we left for the parks, she was fine. Ironically, I think it was her high-needs personality that made Disney so easy. She thrived on the energy and stimulation, then when she'd had enough she simply conked out in her stroller.

 

[LBelle]

Well, first off, I am the proud mom of 3 BOYS!!!!!!!!!!
At first, I admit, this devastated me, but now that they are older (21, 18 and 10) and I've seen my friends go through h*** raising their daughters through these years, I thank my lucky stars!!

But, lets see, middle child in WDW in 04': We had never stayed on property, I had never known enough about "planning", ADR's, etc, and was SOOOO looking forward to this trip!!! The VERY FIRST NIGHT you might have seen me....I was the Mom sobbing on the Boardwalk!!!!!! That kid DID ME IN that night!!!! BUT.....let me tell you, it was one of the LAST times he acted like such a J**K!!! Sometimes I think a healthy dose of the "GUILTS" is all that is needed to set them straight!!!!

 

[kellyg403]

I started getting gray hairs after baby #3 was born. I will definitely keep my hair stylist busy keeping my gray hair blonde.

Yes, I am a mom to 6 and #3 should have been the clincher. Funny thing, all my children are 2-2 1/2 years apart EXCEPT #3 and #4. They are 5 years apart. Guess, I just learned to forget!

Kelly

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

My kids are polar opposites.

#1 DD has been high-maintenance since birth: colicky baby, drama queen, challenges or questions everything. When she was in Kindergarten I wanted her tested for psychosis because her teachers reported she was the *perfect* student: bright, compliant, helpful; but then she would pick a fight with me *every* day before we even got out of the parking lot to come home! I found she seems to test the boundaries hardest every 5-6 years or so: infancy, Kindergarten, and recently 6th grade. However, as she gets older it is easier to talk to her and reason through the behavior. Besides the traits above, she is indeed intelligent, funny, outgoing, and a great kid.

#2 DS was the perfect baby. He slept through the night at 3 weeks, and just rolled with the punches without batting an eyelash. In opposition to his sister, he remains the "perfect" child at home, but had a very hard time adjusting to school and had daily meltdowns for two years. He seems to be outgrowing that, but I'm noticing some defiant behavior around other adults - not me, never me - I think he's mama's boy.

 

[golden1]

My first born was very challenging as an infant and toddler but now at 4 is very sweet and well behaved. DS seems to be the opposite. He was an easy baby but as a toddler he is proving a bit tough. Time will tell....

 

[susykt4]

DD6 was a good baby, had a few months of terrible twos after her brother was born and then went back to her old happy self. Other than being a bit of a drama queen, she's pretty great.

DS3.5 is very active and HAS to do EVERYTHING for himself. He's the king of tantrums when he doesn't know what he wants.

Our first family trip to WDW was when DD was 4 and DS was 2. DD was totally into princesses and DH and I decided to make the trip all about her. We agreed before we left that we'd take turns taking DS back to the resort when he got out of hand. We were completely prepared for DS to be HORRIBLE. He SHOCKED us!!! The kid was fantastic the entire trip! We thought he'd hate/be terrified of the characters- he loved them! We thought he'd be impatient in lines- he was fine! He loved the buses, ate well and had a wonderful time. We. Were. Shocked.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Oh, that's an easy one. I hate wishing summer away, but I cannot wait to send ds8 back to school!!!

Although ds was the perfect baby and toddler, he started showing his true colors at age 3. He was then diagnosed with ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome, so we've got a lot of not typical issues that we deal with on a regular basis. But, he's a smart kid and really knows how to press your buttons to drive you over the edge. I know I'll be gray by 40.

Now, my dd5 was a total NIGHTMARE of a baby, and has turned into my little angel now. Thank goodness, since I wasn't sure I'd survive until she turned 2.

The younger two are somewhere in the middle, with their good days and bad.

I love this time of day. The house is so quiet compared to when all four are active!

 

[PA Princess]

Such an interesting thread, and eery how similar my challenging dd sounds to others out there!

We have 4 kiddos...

DS 11 is very laid back and mellow (to the point of being a fault at times, but still quite manageable). He is a gifted student academically and rarely a behavior challenge.

DS 10 was our challenging child...he was a fine baby (little on the needy side), but he started walking at 9 months and the chase was on! Those pre-school years are a blur as he seemed to walk and talk in super speed 18 hours a day! School helped to mellow him and he has the sweetest, most tender heart..he would do anything to help anyone.

Then came dd6...we still laugh at pictures taken of her just seconds after delivery. She is full out yelling and in a complete back arch...a characteristic move of hers when she is displeased. You can almost hear her saying, "It is cold out here! What is with all of these lights! I am not gonna wear that onsie!" We call her our diva.

Finally we have dd 1...she was our big surprise baby and I was really shaken during my pregnancy wondering how I would handle 4 kids. Many assured me that #4 would be easy going - thankfully for us they were right. She is a mild mannered, sweatheart! She has always been a great sleeper and eater and a real roll with the punches type of gal - what a blessing she is!

We saw a special about a family who had twin girls born the same year as our dd6, and then had septuplets born the same year as dd1. My boys, dh, and I all agreed we could far more easily handle 6 of dd1 than 2 of dd6! LOL

 

[DisKim]

Another mom of 3 chiming in here. I have DD10, DS6 and DS1. I'm torn between my first and third children as the toughest. DS#2 was a little difficult as an infant but he has more than made up for it. He is an angel. DD10 was an angelic baby, but turned evil around 3. At 10, she is going through the typical "tween" stuff and is very confrontational and emotional. DS1 was a good infant but now that he's walking, he's trouble. He gets into everything and is obsessed with me. I'm not allowed to put him down or leave his sight. Did I mention he weighs almost 30 pounds?