Did anyone find that age 4 was NOT worse than 3?

[humpty]

But four was way worse than five. My seven year old knows everything and I'm always wrong according to her.

[adhdfashion]

4 is easier than 3 by a mile.

[jezebel]

4 has been the absolute worst so far. I see this new defiance in her eyes. Its rough.

[erbear]

4 was fine for us with both girls. 5, 6 and 7 can suck it.

[sandyapples]

For DD1, 4 was much better than 3. She also started full time school right when she turned four so that probably helped. She was too tired to be a psycho. She is actually worse behaved at five. She is much sassier now.

[bella427]

I love four year olds. My youngest is 4 now and I'd take triplet 4 year olds over one 3 year old any day!

[missmaddie]

3 was the worst, and within 3 weeks of his 4th birthday he was a new child.

[katiescarlett]

DS1 has gotten progressively better each year. DD is more of a roller coaster. 3 was hard, 4 was ok, 5 is full of whiny dramatic defiance.

[whitemerlot]

Apr 3, 2016 19:55:03 GMT -5 cville said:

4 kicked ass.
6 is currently dicey. Half amazing. Half I'M SELLING YOU FOR $1.50.

Yes. 4 was good for us.

My h was dropping cardboard off at the recycling center and they asked what he was dropping off. He said he almost added our 6 year old to the cardboard. He is awesome 1/2 the time and half the time I want to kill him.

[5hole]

4 was much, much better... But not right away. Like 4 and one quarter it started to get way better.

[lilac05]

For DS1, 4 came with higher highs and lower lows than 3. There were more times when I wanted to freeze time/life exactly where it was...but also more times when I was ready to sell him to the circus, or the highest bidder (with bidding to start at $.25). So, I'm not sure if it's better, but it was different. I think mostly for the good.

Although, he was a unicorn toddler who NEVER threw tantrums. He went through a stage around 4.5 where he threw short tantrums. It was crazy. Thankfully also short-lived! (It also coincided with moving to a different house, so that could have contributed, too.)

[gummybear]

4 was way better than 3 with my older one. This younger one? Not so much. Four had been hell.

[circa1978]

My child was delightful at four.

ETA:3 almost killed me and is is a sass machine who thinks that wearing underwear on his head is the height of humor at 5. 

[Deleted]

For me, 3 was great, 4 was AMAZING, and 5 is shaping up to be hell.

The arguing. Omg the fucking arguing will kill me.

[aussiecrush]

G's been four for a week. I don't want to sell him, just give him away. 3,4,5 sucked with B. 6,7 are really terrific.

[mandymay]

4 was not the best, but we had a newborn a month after our daughter turned 4 so we had to deal with adjustments. 5 has been pretty great for the most part, even with all the new attitude and sass.

[runforrest]

Four was worse than three for us. Five was slightly better, and two weeks into six, I'm starting to lose hope that it will ever be "easy".

[cheeseandcrackers]

so... are they good at ANY age? haha.

[lilybug]

When Declan hit his 4th bday, it was seriously like someone replaced my kid. He was SO different, so suddenly. Calmer, wanting to help, talking instead of tantrums, etc. It was a miracle.

Asher didn't do that. Lol. He is definitely better now (almost 4.5) than he was at 3, but it was a gradual change. I think his behavior was actually at its worst right around his 4th bday.

[dochas]

Apr 3, 2016 21:35:02 GMT -5 cheeseandcrackers said:

so... are they good at ANY age? haha.

Starting at about 4.5 I got hopeful. From 2.5 - 3.5 I carried him, screaming, from every place we ever left. He's 5.5 now and tonight he asked if he could "have a few words with me in private". He led me into my room and discussed blankets and which he'd like where as it warms up. FIVE IS DELIGHTFUL! 

[cayl]

Twin 3 year olds sucked. So far my older one is embracing her role as the "oldest" (by a whole minute) and is always super helpful and nice. She is so nice to her sister. Meanwhile, DD2 is even worse and acts like she runs the world. If DD1 was an only child, I would be loving this age.

[textbookcase]

BTW, 11 sucks again.

[eb777888]

Don't listen to these assholes, Tamb!! If 2 was happy and 3 is bad, hang in there! Four will be better.

[curtains]

My dd was so much better at four, and better every year since. The tweens were a bit of a challenge but I swear still easier than 3. Now at 15 she is a super easy, fairly mellow kid.
Hopefully it is the same for you.

[thedahliharpa]

Even if 4 is better than 3 for J you will be right back here with E. Don't fool yourself into thinking it will be different :-). D is not quite as bad as H was but when you mix her givin' it all she's got with her big sister's antics it takes it to a new level. Plus...sister wars.

[stealthmom]

IMexperience every year past 2 has been better than the previous year.

[onetruething]

So far for me every year gets better. DD1 is about to turn 12, so I think that run of good luck is about to end.

[CheeringCharm]

Yes. For us it was pretty much a straight shot to easier, more predictable, more compliant behavior. Two was by far the worst and my least favorite stage but then it got progressively better every year. This sounds bad maybe but I really enjoy all my kids more the older they get, lol.

[Bernadine]

Apr 3, 2016 21:35:02 GMT -5 cheeseandcrackers said:

so... are they good at ANY age? haha.

My mom said she really enjoys us as adults. Lol.

It's so interesting to hear about everyone's experiences with different ages.

[lilafowler]

4 was better than 3 but still a struggle. 5 hasn't been THAT bad, except for the increase in DRAMATICS.
She'll be 6 in two months...hold me.