Every now and then, I find myself scrolling through social media when I come across posts from friends declaring their love for newborns. “Just met my friend’s new baby—my heart can’t handle the cuteness!” they exclaim. To which I think, “Seriously? Have you forgotten the sleepless nights, the endless diaper changes, and the constant battle against spit-up?”
Or, I’ll catch snippets of conversation at the playground, where a mom fondly recalls the toddler stage—“They were just so cute, saying the funniest things!” (Which usually means they turned into tiny dictators with a penchant for tantrums.) I feel the urge to remind her that the term “threenager” exists for a reason.
And then there are parents who rave about the joys of raising teens, claiming it’s all about style and staying hip with the latest slang. Really? “Totes fab”? Seriously? If that’s the case, you might want to rethink your vocabulary choices.
Clearly, the debate over which parenting stage reigns supreme is as heated as the age-old question of whether to get an epidural or to buy a tablet for your three-year-old. Gather a group of parents, and you’ll get a variety of opinions on the best phase of parenting. To help put this debate to rest, let’s break it down.
Baby Stage
Pros: They’re cuddly, soft, and undeniably adorable. Infants can snooze for up to 20 hours a day, making them fairly portable. Strap one into a car seat, and you’re ready to head out for groceries or brunch. It’s almost like carrying a designer handbag—if that handbag weighed about 73 pounds.
Cons: Despite their long sleep hours, those “naps” are often brief, leaving you scrambling for a shower and a decent cup of coffee. And when they start wailing in public, and nothing seems to help, you might find yourself bolting from a restaurant, drenched in sweat, leaving your meal behind.
Toddler Stage
Pros: As they start to walk, they become even cuter, and those nighttime sleeps may finally stretch out. Plus, they can communicate their needs (e.g., “Me want milk!”).
Cons: Your home turns into a hazardous zone with potential dangers lurking everywhere. And while they can express what they want, be prepared for a meltdown if you hand them the wrong color sippy cup.
Preschool Stage
Pros: You get a couple of hours to yourself while they’re at school, and they return home ready for a nap. They adore you, which is a nice bonus.
Cons: When they’re not napping or in school, they can unleash enough energy to exhaust even the most seasoned parent. Your living room may become a glitter explosion thanks to their crafting, and their mood swings can rival any adolescent’s.
Grade School Stage
Pros: This is often referred to as the “sweet spot.” Kids at this age can dress themselves, handle their own bathroom needs, and they’re off to school for most of the day. Plus, they can even operate the TV and fix tech issues.
Cons: Homework can be a struggle, especially when math has changed since your own school days. And be prepared for brawls over which show to watch, followed by tears over video game disasters.
Tween Stage
Pros: They don’t outright hate you yet.
Cons: They also don’t express much fondness either.
Teen Stage
Pros: You can see them turning into the young adults they are destined to be. You can share interests like shopping and sports, and they can manage their own schedules.
Cons: The stakes get higher, with concerns about social media, peer pressure, and driving. They often speak in a language of acronyms that leaves you scratching your head, not to mention the eye-rolling that becomes a regular occurrence.
So, what’s my favorite stage of parenting? The answer has remained the same throughout my decade of being a parent: my favorite stage is whatever stage we happen to be in at the moment.
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Summary
The best parenting stage is subjective, with pros and cons at every level—from the cuddly baby stage to the challenging teen years. Ultimately, each phase has its own unique joys and struggles, and the most important takeaway is to appreciate the present moment in your parenting journey.
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