We Asked Parents To Reveal Their Favourite Age When Raising Kids

There are wonderful – and not-so wonderful – things about every stage of a child’s life. But for parents, certain years are particularly enjoyable and hold a special place in their hearts. With that in mind, we reached out to parents and caregivers to ask what their absolute favourite age for kids is. Read on for their honest responses, with plenty of reminders about the joy of the entire journey. Age 4-5 months“Each age leads to its own set of triumphs and challenges, but my favourite so far is the sweet spot of four and five months. They’re still cute little babies, but they’re starting to smile and laugh and they haven’t started teething yet. They’re not really mobile. I found, at this stage, they were just starting to sleep better and didn’t wake up as much throughout the night. I didn’t have to worry about feeding solid foods yet. This was when I was finally able to get my children to follow a routine.”–Stephanie Claytor, founder of the family travel blog BlacktrekkingAge 4-7 months“I’ve loved every stage more than the last, but there’s something really special about the 4-7 month stage when babies’ personalities start to emerge, they start trying solid foods, they sleep better, and are generally delightful little, squishy giggle machines. Absolutely delicious!”–Amanda DeLuca, founder and CEO of the parenting app RileyAge 2“I wrote a poem about this, and not so ironically, it is called ‘My Favourite’ and how it speaks to each age bringing something so special to hold on to. The getting on your hands and knees and discovering the world from their view, the mispronounced words, them crawling into bed with you, the curious and clever questions. It almost feels impossible to pick! But if I had to choose so far, I would say 2.“I know the term ‘terrible twos’ is thrown around freely (and look, don’t get me wrong, I walk on eggshells some days too), but there is something so precious in the purest form of joy at this age. You can still carry them on your hip, the sentences begin forming, so do friendships, and opinions, a true sense of their personality. I feel like this age is where I get to discover so much again through their eyes. There are so many firsts and so many lasts in this year. It’s so delightful (public tantrums aside.)”– Jessica Urlichs, author of “Beautiful Chaos: On Motherhood, Finding Yourself, and Overwhelming Love”Age 3“As a mum of five kids between the ages of 4 and 10, including two sets of twins and one singleton, I’ve experienced a wide range of developmental stages all at once. I’m also a child care consultant and mindfulness facilitator, so I get to observe these stages both personally and professionally.“My favourite age is 3. There’s something magical about that stage when language is blossoming and curiosity is both hilarious and a little terrifying. Three-year-olds are unfiltered, imaginative, and constantly exploring the world with their whole bodies. They’re eager to be independent but still need connection and co-regulation, which makes it such a rich age for bonding and playful learning.”–Princess Owens, child care consultant, mindfulness facilitator and content creatorAge 4“Peak vibes. They’re chatty but still think you’re a superhero. They’re emotionally open but not yet in their feelings. And best of all, no nappies, no SATs. Just pure personality, big questions about the moon, and accidental comedy every 12 minutes. It’s like living with your favourite drunk cousin: expressive, unpredictable, but full of heart.”–Marvyn Harrison, author, broadcaster and founder of Dope Black DadsAges 5-8“While there’s truly something magical about every stage, my personal sweet spot is the 5-to-8-year-old range. This is the golden age of curiosity. They have enough dexterity and patience to engage in more complex projects – from building simple robots to messy kitchen science experiments – but they haven’t lost that pure, wide-eyed wonder.“You can introduce a scientific concept that makes their eyes light up, and they see you as a partner in discovery. It’s the peak ‘let’s build it together’ phase, and for a hands-on dad, there’s nothing better.”–Sergei Urban, founder of The Dad LabAges 8 and 10 “My oldest is 10, and my youngest is 8. I’m being very honest when I say this has been my favourite age so far. My kids can look me in the eye and say, ‘I love you.’ They can give me deliberately tight hugs. They can tell stories and explain their ideas to me.“They’re independent enough to be intentional, which also comes with intentional challenges and pushbacks that force me to look in the mirror, admit to them when I’m wrong, not have answers to every question, and not be able to run from tough conversations. It’s the yin and yang of growth, and for right now, I’m OK with that.”–La Guardia Cross, YouTube content creatorAges 10-12“There are definitely things I have enjoyed about every age. Likewise, there are things about every age that I have found incredibly challenging. That being said, I really enjoy the age between 10 and 12. They really begin to develop a deep sense of self and become very insightful. They are incredibly wise and in touch with the world around them.“They still have the innocence of childhood, but are also coming into a wisdom that is incredible to witness and engage with.”–Jillian Amodio, mental health advocate and social worker at Waypoint Wellness CenterIf you’re a parent and would like to share your favourite age, email us your thoughts at [email protected]. Your response might be included in an upcoming article. Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and style.Related...WTF Is 'Slow Parenting'? The Internet's Answer To Overscheduled KidsI'm A Parenting Coach – If Your Teen Argues All The Time, Try This 1 ResponseI'm A Parenting Coach – This Is How To Get A Child With ADHD To Listen

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