If you’ve been following my blog since Wednesday of this week, than you know that The Boy turned three. We celebrated his birthday with a small party for family and close friends. We kept it simple, served sangria and wine, and had a barbecue. It was a wonderful celebration.
As I think about the last three years of my life, how they’ve been changed forever – for the better – I have started to wonder – are babies are more fun than older children?
Babies are more fun because
They listen without questioning.
They do not know the words “No” and “I don’t want to.”
They laugh when you blow on their bellies.
They sleep a lot allowing you to do the same.
You can easily strap them to your body and head out the door.
They’re portable, and don’t need much space.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the independence that my son exhibits. He’s able to get his own snack, his own drink, and use the potty. He puts on his own shoes and coat. At the young age of three, he needs me a lot less than when he was two. And this time next year, he’ll need me even less. That makes me sad. But,
Older children are more fun because
They are independent allowing you get dressed in peace.
They are proud to demonstrate new skills.
They can follow instruction and play a game.
They can help with household chores. {Yes, even at 3!}
I think that every stage and every phase of childhood is more fun than the last. From the marathon nursing sessions while I ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at three in the morning, to wiping yogurt off of the floor when he was learning to master the spoon, to switching his car seat forward facing, and everything in between. It’s been a journey that I did not expect, and one that I am so excited to be a part of.
{Note: Everything isn’t perfect at our house. As I write this post, The Boy should be resting, yet he is banging his feet against the wall in his bedroom. I am overtired, so his behavior is really getting to me. But, I choose to ignore it. To try to ignore it, anyhow. It’s hard. I wonder if this means an end to nap time. Then where will my time come from?}
Do you think that babies are more fun than older children? If you’re the parent of an older child, what was your favorite age?
What what NaBloPoMo is all about? NaBloPoMo, created by the brilliant minds at BlogHer, is a month long blogging challenge to encourage you to write daily about a specific prompt. Today’s prompt was “Which do you enjoy more — babies or older kids?” Sign ups to participate in this month’s Blog Roll are now closed, but you may check out the participating bloggers here and the daily prompts are available here.
I think once an age is past, it’s easy to look back and remember all the great things about it!! I definitely miss the baby age though. My daughter dropped naps when she was 2. 🙁
that’s a tough question…i liked so many things when the kids were babies but also as toddlers too. my grandson will be 4 next month and we just have the best time with him now when we can do so many things…he is a fun little boy and out heart!
I’m not a parent but I used to be a nanny, and I found older children to be more fun than babies, because they can talk to you and understand more of what you say. They can tell jokes, play games, and their creative side really starts to come out. I love hearing all the funny and interesting ways kids interpret the world around them.
As much as I enjoy the baby phase, I really do love how my daughter is becoming a small person with her own ideas and her way of expressing herself. It’s so much fun to see.
My oldest grandson is 4 and he is so much fun now. I was just telling my daughter how much I miss the baby stage though. I love a cuddle baby and while he will still cuddle, 4 yr olds ate ready to take on the world. I love babies and older kids. Luckily she’s having my third grandchild so I get big boy, toddler just turned 2 abduction newborn soon.
I hate auto correct I am not abducting a newborn, my daughter is having one the old fashioned way.
I definitely am enjoying interacting with my daughter more as she is getting older. Instead of me providing endless hours of entertainment for her I am finding the roles being reversed. With her new found independence she does things on a daily basis that make me laugh (like putting her sunglasses on upside down or getting excited about seeing Mickey Mouse and calling him Rickey).
Happy Belated Birthday to The Boy! Sangria…yum. Now that sounds like a great birthday party.
When my 7 were smaller I never had enough of a gap between kids to ever notice. lol lol
Babies are so adorable and easily entertained and it’s the perfect age to actually be able to rest or if you want to catch up on cleaning. They are easily contained in crib or playpen if not walking. But the toddler ages have the benefit of being able to do some things for themselves and help you too. I completely agree with your listed reasons for babies and older kids. 🙂
Carol L.
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
As my children grew I always thought that whatever stage they were in was the most fun. They are young adults now and I have a grandson. He’s 4 months, so right now I think 4 months is the most fun age. 🙂
This is a great question. I love my babies for the same reasons you listed and I love my 3-4 year old as well. It makes me sad remembering back when he was more “fun”. Now it’s always an argument. Not really sure how to end the argument. But the bad or challenging definatly outweighs the fun, good lately for my 3-4 year old. I can only hope it ends soon:(
I am a childcare provider and have worked with children of all ages and I can say without a doubt that babies are more fun! They are cuddly and sweet and they don’t talk back!
Yes and no. My boys were adorable babies but I couldn’t wait for the toddler years. I had so much fun playing with my boys as toddlers and preschoolers and I really enjoyed watching their personalities develop as they grew each year. As far as favorite age, I think six years old for each was my favorite.
I don’t think that babies are more fun than older children. The experience is incomparable though. I loved the baby stage, but I’m really enjoying my 4 year old because I can do a lot more fun things with him.
I have raised four sons they range from 20-33. I LOVED the baby age from 0-1. I could have had a baby every year but they become kids. I thought 3-5 was the most difficult age. Unlike most people I look back on the teenage years as the happiest in my life. Yes there were very trying times but it was also the most fun.
Right now, I have twin boys (4) and a daughter (6). I am absolutely loving age 6. My daughter is sweet, loves to sit and do crafts and other activities, she’s well-behaved and is a pure joy. She can have full, enriching conversation and I have a blast with her. I love my boys to no end, but 4 is TOUGH.
I think each age brings new blessings and new challenges! Not sure I could pick! 😀
I have a almost four year old a two year old and a seven month old all boys and I think every age is great. I am so sad that tbey will get big and not be my self proclaimed best friends anymore.
My son is 19, which means we can have fun relating as adults (most of the time). I can say when he was a baby, e had medical issues and surgeries because he was 6 weeks early. He was easy when he was a baby being that he did not talk much until was 3, he certainly made up for it. I do enjoy him as he gets older because he still has many traits he had as a baby, especially when he gets a cold, he still lays next to me to feel better 🙂
I love the newborn stage, but I would have to say the most fun is when they are older. My grandson is one now, and he is so much fun to play with and watch him learning to crawl and stand and walk. And I love feeding time and watching him try new foods. It’s interesting to to see how he reacts to certain people…..some he takes to right away, while others he only cries. It’s interesting to wonder what they sense in people at such an early age to make them react different ways to different people.
Older kids are funnier too because they say the cutest things –
My 3 year old boy says – Star Whores in place of Star Wars
My 3 year old daughter – says. “Why do you have hair on your booty in the front? Me (not knowing how to answer it) says, “You have hair on your booty in the back, you just can’t see it!” She says, “Cool – we match!”
I love all ages – my 11 year old is pretty cool to hang out with now. 18 months was a favorite age of mine as well.
I think older children are more fun because you can interact with them on a higher level.
I think both babies and older children have their own endearing qualities. I think older children are more fun because you can watch them learn and explore. Also, they say the funniest things sometimes.
I think the perfect age for fun is 2-3 years old because they can interact more and are just so darn cute! Of course all ages have their drawbacks lol. Especially teens LOL!