Every stage of a child’s life has amazing and less amazing aspects. However, for parents, some years are especially delightful and occupy a unique spot in their memories.
With that in mind, we contacted parents and guardians to find out their top preferred age for children. Continue reading for their genuine answers, filled with reminders about the happiness of the whole experience.
And if you’re a parent and want to share your preferred age, send us your ideas via email at[email protected]. Your response could be featured in a future article.
Age 4-5 Months
“Every stage brings its own successes and difficulties, but my favorite so far has been the delightful period between four and five months. They’re still adorable infants, but they’re beginning to smile and giggle, and they haven’t started teething yet. They aren’t really moving around much. At this point, I noticed they were starting to sleep more soundly and weren’t waking up as frequently during the night. I didn’t need to worry about introducing solid foods yet. This was the time when I finally managed to establish a routine with my children.” ―Stephanie Claytor, founder of the family travel blog Blacktrekking
Age 4-7 Months
“I’ve cherished every phase more than the previous one, but there’s something truly unique about the 4-7 month period when babies’ personalities begin to show, they start experimenting with solid foods, they sleep better, and they’re generally wonderful, squishy, giggling little bundles. Absolutely delightful!” ―Amanda DeLuca, founder and chief executive officer of the parenting application Riley
Age 2
“I composed a poem about this, and not without irony, it’s titled ‘My Favorite’ and it talks about how each stage of life brings something unique to cherish. The act of getting down on your hands and knees and seeing the world from their perspective, the mispronounced words, them crawling into bed with you, the inquisitive and intelligent questions. It’s almost impossible to pick! But if I had to choose so far, I’d go with 2. I know the term ‘terrible twos’ is used often (and let me be clear, I understand that some days I walk on eggshells too), but there’s something truly precious about the purest form of joy at this age. You can still carry them on your hip, sentences start to form, as do friendships and opinions, and a genuine sense of their personality. I feel like this stage allows me to rediscover so much through their eyes. There are numerous firsts and many lasts in this year. It’s incredibly delightful (aside from public meltdowns.)” ―Jessica Urlichs, author of “Beautiful Chaos: On Motherhood, Finding Yourself, and Overwhelming Love”
Age 3
As a mother to five children aged 4 to 10, including two sets of twins and one child who is the only one in their group, I’ve gone through various stages of development all at the same time. I also work as a childcare consultant and a mindfulness instructor, which allows me to see these stages both in my own life and in my professional experience.
My favorite time is when a child is three years old. There’s something special about this period when language is growing rapidly and curiosity is both amusing and somewhat frightening. Three-year-olds are honest, creative, and always discovering the world with their entire bodies. They want to be independent but still require support and emotional regulation, making it a wonderful stage for building connections and engaging in fun learning.” ―Princess Owens, child care advisor, mindfulness instructor, and content producer
Age 4
“Best vibes. They talk a lot but still see you as a hero. They’re open emotionally but not fully in love. And the best part is no diapers, no standardized tests. Just real personality, big questions about the moon, and random humor every 12 minutes. It’s like living with your favorite tipsy relative: full of expression, unexpected, but with a lot of heart.” ―Marvyn Harrison, writer, commentator and founder of Dope Black Dads
Ages 5-8
“Although each stage has its own unique magic, my favorite is when kids are between five and eight years old. This is the time of maximum curiosity. They possess enough skill and patience to take on more complicated tasks—like constructing basic robots or doing messy science experiments in the kitchen—but they still retain that genuine, wide-eyed amazement. Introducing a scientific idea can really excite them, and they view you as a collaborator in exploring new things. It’s the best ‘let’s create something together’ period, and for someone who loves getting their hands dirty, there’s nothing quite like it.” ―Sergei Urban, founder of The Dad Lab
Ages 8 & 10
“My eldest is 10, and my youngest is 8. I’m being completely truthful when I say this has been my favorite stage so far. My children can look me directly in the eye and say, ‘I love you.’ They can give me intentionally tight hugs. They can share stories and articulate their thoughts to me. They’re independent enough to be deliberate, which also brings about intentional challenges and resistance that push me to examine myself, acknowledge when I’m mistaken, admit I don’t have all the answers, and not avoid difficult discussions. It’s the balance of growth, and for now, I’m comfortable with that.” ―La Guardia Cross, YouTube content creator
Ages 10-12
“There are definitely aspects I have appreciated in each stage of life. Similarly, there are challenges that come with every age. That said, I particularly enjoy the period between 10 and 12 years old. During this time, they start to form a strong sense of self and become quite perceptive. They are remarkably wise and connected to their surroundings. They still carry the innocence of childhood, yet they are also developing a wisdom that is truly remarkable to observe and interact with.” ―Jillian Amodio, mental health advocate and social worker at Waypoint Wellness Center
Responses have been slightly modified for improved clarity and tone.
