Is It Easier to Raise a Boy or a Girl?

The question that no one wants to answer directly

Honestly? This is one of those questions people whisper about at playgrounds or mumble during wine-fueled dinner parties — “Is it easier to raise boys or girls?”
And every parent I’ve talked to has some kind of gut answer… followed by a nervous laugh. Because deep down, we all know: it depends.

But still — there are patterns. And if you're a parent, soon-to-be, or just curious (or maybe overwhelmed by your third toddler meltdown of the week), you're not alone in wondering if one side really is “easier.”

So, here’s a breakdown. Not perfect. Not universal. But real.

Early years: boys = wild, girls = intense?

Physical vs. emotional chaos

Let’s talk toddler stage. In my experience (and yeah, I’ve got one of each), boys tend to be more physical. They jump off furniture, throw things, climb the bookshelf for no reason.
My son once launched himself off the couch to “see if he could bounce.” Spoiler: he couldn’t. ER visit. I cried more than he did.

Girls, on the other hand? Oh, they’re just as tough — but in a totally different way. Emotionally, they’re sharp. Like, scarily sharp. My daughter could cut me with a sentence before she turned 6. And she remembers everything. Including that one time I said we might go for ice cream and didn’t.

But here's the twist…

Around age 4–5, something shifts. Boys calm down (a bit), and girls… they start getting more assertive. The balance evens out — and flips depending on personality.

So yeah, if you’re looking for a chill start, maybe girls feel “easier.” But that peace might not last.

School years: who needs more attention?

Academic focus vs. emotional regulation

This one's tricky. Statistically, girls tend to perform better academically in early school years — they’re often more verbal, more socially aware, and follow classroom rules better. Teachers notice that.

But that doesn’t mean boys are "harder" — they just learn differently. My son struggles with sitting still during lessons, but he’ll retain every fact about dinosaurs he’s ever heard. It’s a different kind of learning, not less.

Also: boys often need more support with emotional expression, while girls may internalize stress. One acts out, the other hides it. Which is easier? Depends on the day, honestly.

I once asked my friend Amanda, who teaches second grade: “Who’s harder to teach — boys or girls?”
Her answer: “Boys need more boundaries. Girls need more reassurance. I’m exhausted either way.”
Exactly.

Teenage years: the plot twist phase

Hormones, identity, and the emotional rollercoaster

Ah yes, adolescence. Strap in.

Conventional wisdom says girls get “harder” in the teen years — more emotional, more pressure to fit in, more body image issues, more complicated friendships. And honestly? I kind of get that.

But boys don’t get a free pass. Teen boys can be emotionally closed off, impulsive, and struggle with communication. Not to mention the quiet pressure to “be tough” or “not show weakness.” That stuff builds walls you can’t always see.

One dad told me his teenage son just grunted through most of high school. Another mom cried when her 14-year-old daughter gave her the silent treatment for a week over a misunderstood emoji.
Neither sounded easier.

So… is one actually easier to raise?

It’s less about gender, more about who they are (and who you are)

Honestly? No. There’s no solid, universal “easier.” What matters more is:

• Your child’s personality (some girls are tornadoes, some boys are Zen masters)

• Your own parenting style and strengths (some people are better at handling chaos, others at navigating emotions)

• Your support system (do you have help, time, patience, or are you just trying to survive each day?)

There are days my daughter is a dream and my son is a full-on boss level. And other days it flips. Or they both lose their minds and I Google "boarding schools that take 7-year-olds." (Not proud of it, but hey, real talk.)

Final thoughts: it’s not about easier — it’s about connection

So if you’re still wondering: Is it easier to raise a boy or a girl?
Here’s the truth no one puts on parenting blogs: every kid is hard sometimes. And every kid is absolutely worth it.

Rather than asking “which is easier,” maybe we should ask:
How can I connect with this child, in this season, as they are?
That’s where the magic (and yes, the chaos) lives.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.