What Year With Kids is the Hardest? The Truth Behind Parenting Struggles

Parenting is a rollercoaster of emotions. There are moments of joy, fulfillment, and love, but also moments of frustration, exhaustion, and doubt. If you’re a parent, you’ve likely asked yourself, "What year with kids is the hardest?" The truth is, it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer, but there are certain stages that are universally known for being more challenging than others. Let's dive into the years that can feel like the hardest for parents and explore why.

The Terrible Twos – The First Big Challenge

When people talk about the toughest year in parenting, many will instantly bring up the "terrible twos." This is the period when your child is starting to assert their independence and develop their own sense of autonomy, and let me tell you – it can be a challenge!

Why the Terrible Twos Are So Hard

At this age, kids are still learning how to communicate effectively, and their frustration often manifests in tantrums. As a parent, it can feel like every day is a battle to get through simple tasks. I remember when my daughter turned two, I felt like I was walking on eggshells around her, not knowing when a tantrum would erupt. One moment she would be laughing, and the next, screaming because I didn’t give her the red cup instead of the blue one. It was exhausting.

What makes this stage even harder is that it’s a time of development – they are testing boundaries, and it's a crucial time for learning social norms. For many parents, this stage can feel overwhelming as it tests patience, energy, and emotional endurance. So, yeah, the terrible twos definitely deserve their reputation.

The Early Teenage Years – When Kids Change

As your child moves into their early teenage years, typically around 12 to 14, things can take another difficult turn. The transition from childhood to adolescence brings about hormonal changes, which can affect not just their behavior but yours too. They start seeking independence, which often leads to conflicts and misunderstandings.

Hormones and Independence

You might start noticing that your sweet, innocent child now has a sharp tongue and a sudden need for privacy. They may seem like strangers in their own home, and the emotional rollercoaster begins. Trust me, I had a recent conversation with my friend Sarah, who’s dealing with her son’s teen years, and she’s already feeling the impact. Her son started pulling away and pushing back on pretty much everything she said. It’s not just the rebellion; it’s the emotional distance that hurts the most. It’s tough for both parents and kids to adjust to this new dynamic.

It's also the age where they begin forming their own identity, and, as a parent, you’re left navigating how to support that growth without feeling like you’re losing control. It can feel like the hardest part because you’re not sure where your role stands anymore. You want to support them, but there’s this constant push and pull that tests your patience.

The Pre-Teen Years – A Sneaky Challenge

Interestingly, the pre-teen years (ages 9-11) often get overlooked in discussions about tough parenting years. However, this stage can be uniquely challenging in its own way. At this age, kids aren’t quite teenagers, but they’re not little kids anymore either. They're starting to get more independent, but they’re not emotionally ready to handle all the adult-like responsibilities that they try to assume.

The Pre-Teen Identity Crisis

I remember feeling this shift when my son was about 10. He started expressing strong opinions and desires that were completely different from what we had been used to. It’s a confusing time for kids as they try to figure out who they are, and it’s just as confusing for parents. I found myself second-guessing my decisions, trying to strike that balance between being a guiding figure and allowing him to experience more freedom. It was a year of adjustment – for both of us.

The emotional swings can also be tough during this stage. Kids are starting to experience the beginning stages of puberty, and their mood swings can sometimes rival those of a teenager. As a parent, you can feel helpless at times because you’re caught in the middle of trying to be there for them, while also respecting their need for more independence.

The Teenage Years – A New Kind of Hard

And then, of course, we come to the well-known "teenage years" (ages 13-17), which, for many parents, are widely considered the hardest. With puberty in full swing, kids go through a lot of physical and emotional changes. They start to form stronger opinions, desire more independence, and, frankly, begin to challenge everything you believe in.

The Struggles of Parenting a Teen

During my recent conversations with friends who have teenagers, it’s clear that the struggle is real. One of my close friends, Emily, has a daughter who just turned 15, and she told me how hard it is to maintain any kind of meaningful conversation with her. One minute they’re laughing, the next minute, her daughter is slamming doors over something small. And it’s not just the emotional turbulence – it’s also the fear of their growing independence. You have to trust them more, but at the same time, you're terrified of letting go too much.

What makes the teenage years especially challenging is the constant battle for respect and trust. You might not always get the responses you expect, and it’s emotionally draining. But on the flip side, it's also an age where kids start to develop more critical thinking and better problem-solving skills, so the reward can be just as great as the struggle.

The Final Word: What Year is the Hardest?

So, what year with kids is the hardest? Honestly, it depends on the child and the family dynamic. The "terrible twos" are tough because of tantrums and frustration, while the teenage years are challenging due to emotional turbulence and a desire for independence. And don’t forget the sneaky pre-teen years, which can feel like a mini-teenage stage. Ultimately, there’s no definitive answer – every stage has its hurdles.

What really matters is how you adapt and grow as a parent during these stages. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Be kind to yourself, because parenting can be tough, but with each year, you’re gaining more insight into your child and your relationship with them. Keep the communication open, and trust that, as they grow, you’ll grow too.

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.