Since there is a recent thread about teenagers, I thought I'd bring up another troublesome age category...TODDLERS.

Today my 2.5 year old wanted to wear her jacket while at the same time passionately did not want to wear her jacket!

Need I say more? Those who have had toddlers will understand.

My daughter is 19 months and seems to have just entered that terrible twos phase. I was a little worried the first time I saw Poppy throw herself to the floor and start screaming. My wife assures me though it's just a normal phase. Even so, it's not particularly a phase I'm enjoying.

You wait until you hit the tyrannical threes, mine shits in the garden and pisses off the deck.

So my girls are 12 and 10 but so you know (and this is from the voice of experience) people may call it 'the terrible two's' but 3 years are wayyyyyy worse... just sayin

Oh yes, quite familiar with that. I particularly liked the occasional throwing or arching herself backwards regardless of whatever dangerous or sharp object is behind her. However, that seems to have stopped around 2, although it's been replaced by other stuff!

Glad to hear it gets better!

Yeah, 3 was rough.

Kind of down hill once they can start talking back, too.

IME, it doesn't!

We only have one, little Miss P who is currently nine, and she was stubborn, difficult and opinionated as a toddler, and hasn't changed much. I don't know where she got those traits from.

Just wait another 2-3 years. You'll look back fondly on the younger years and realise just how easy they were.

I'm desperately trying to convince SmallChog (3) that she doesn't need to be 8 inches away from me at all times. I feel like she's judging me for my parenting choices...

Well, if anything this thread and the teenagers thread are acting as a highly effective contraceptive method for currently childless (childfree?) couples

Yes, I aim to inform and warn!

In all seriousness though, it is for me a totally worthwhile and rewarding experience, just doesn't feel like it every minute 😄

And it is not for everyone. I think society often pressures people into having children when perhaps they shouldn't. It really does change your life. Even people who have children get pressured to have more. We have decided to only have one, and you can't believe how some react to that. Won't she be lonely? Won't she be spoiled? What happens when you die with no sibling for her etc....I think ironically we probably had less pressure about children when we had none, now that I think about it!

Kids are an excellent contraceptive for all couples, especially those who already have them. Can't get a moment alone with my wife before it is very late at night. Video games only keep them occupied for so long before they try to burst into your bedroom to tell you how they defeated the troll.

I remember my now 4 year old screaming and crying at me because I wouldn't let her eat my deodorant.

So true!