re: Most challenging parenting years

for boys .. 9-13,14

if they don't die or lose a limb they'll be OK with the exception of a little law enforcement intervention or broken bone

for girls its 14 til they're married

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boys are dumbasses.. you're mostly worried about them hurting themselves. My dad still laughs at my riding my bike on the roof or playing rollerball in the cul de sac or tackle football in the street

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I absolutely was hell on wheels from about 13-19. I still apologize to my dad about how much grief I caused him.

I have 5: 20 years - 3 months.

Infants are physically the hardest. They can’t tell you what hurts or why they’re crying. The odd sleep patterns. Being completely dependent on you.

Putting in the work for toddlers-preteens is also difficult. Staying on top of positive reinforcement, discipline, homework, activities, sports etc. to ensure they are developing a well rounded character.

Teens are less dependent but still difficult. Driving is scary as hell. First dates and subsequent first break-ups. Especially girls...yeesh! The text “dad can you get me some pads when you go to the store please” is like a little electric shock every time.

But overall it’s the young adult that’s been most challenging to me. As a parent you’ve raised them to be independent, confident, driven, self reliant, etc. so that’s what they do. They move out and up. Start dating. Start working. Focused on school.

But every now and then I catch a glimpse of that infant I rocked to sleep in that 20 year olds eyes, regardless how thick his beard is and wish to have it all back. It has allowed me to appreciate my younger ones so much more.

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5-12 was amazing for all 3 daughters. They were all sweet little angels. 13 and it's like they catch the fricking Excorcist which not coincidentally involves blood. 

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The youngest isn't a shithead yet at 13. The oldest didn't stick her head up her arse until about 16.

Believe it or not I had parent -ish or Big Brother-ish concern for you , Louisiana lady and others when you were in college. Girls can get themselves in so much trouble trying to fit in or please boys

even for my friend's daughters guys that I played softball with their teenage daughters, I had a strong opinion when they brought boyfriends around I fear for young women

you turned out OK but LL is still making some very poor choices in who she's dating

you're a prime example of why I was concerned

I’m glad to know that. I’m appalled by some of my decisions (both on and off this board) from my years at LSU simply due to pure naivety. I wasn’t one to worry about in terms of risqué behavior, but I was just STUPID naive. My early years of posting prove that.

Glad I had some good ones looking out for me, it’s both cool and strange to explain my relationship to “dad” and others like yourself.

Oh No doubt. I thought I was living in hell when my oldest started with colic but I didn’t know better to realize he had horrible reflux. Once he got in Zantac life changed. I watched for it with my second and sure enough, she started with it around 2-3 weeks like my first. I had her little butt at the doctor getting a script the same day. Easy peasy, live and learn.

We all made bad decisions those years of our lives your generation gets to live it out online for everybody to watch and make fun of