Does It Get Easier?

Since becoming a parent almost 5 years ago I've notice that parents tend to say 'If you think they're hard now, wait until they get to __ age'.  I never wanted to hear it. Ever! Why would I want to hear that it's going to get worse? Isn't diapers, crying, spit up and no sleep the worst? What's worse than that?

Phrases of that nature bugged me so much I have tried to adopt a different approach and when people ask about the challenges of children at this age I usually 1 of 2 things depending on how hard the kids have been that day. I either say 'they're crazy. Yep my kids are crazy' or I say 'some things have gotten easier and some things have gotten harder'. So may see that as not very helpful but really it's the truth. There's things at each age that looking back you realize were easier than you realized and things that were harder.

As an example here's a list of a few things I've found easier about preschool aged children, and some things I've found easier harder:

Easier:

1. Once they're potty trained you only have to wipe the occasional bum and clean up the occasional mess. It's awesome. I don't miss changing kids one bit and I certainly don't miss smelly poop!

2. They understand simple rules and instructions which means they can do chores! We have our children do several chores in order to earn an allowance and they have to give part of that allowance to a charity of their choice. I've also started giving them a bonus allowance for additional chores. It's awesome.

3. They are big enough to get into their own carseats. Yes, yes. Don't worry frantic moms I ALWAYS double check to make sure they're in correctly and tighten up the belts myself but it's great that I don't have to lift them up anymore.

4. They can play on their own. Now they don't always DO this but they can in fact do it. I've seen it and I remind them frequently whenever I hear a 'Mom, what can I do? There's nothing to do.'

Harder:

1. They talk back, can be rude and something say hurtful things. Oh, and sometimes they even backseat drive. It's annoying.

2.  They ask 1 billion and 10 questions about every little thing. Once they get on a roll it's no longer to distract them into stopping with 'Hey look, there's a person on a bike over there!'

3. They fight with each other all the time. They can be playing so nicely for 2 minutes and then suddenly someone is crying. We've been trying harder to let them sort it out on their own but nothing seems to be working. Letting them sort it out on their own just means I have to get off my butt less to go break it up which I guess is still a win.

4. They remember things. Example: Mom, remember when you said next time we were really good in this store you would take us out to McDonalds for lunch?  Ahhhh, yeah - crap. I didn't think you'd remember that.  Oh no. Now you're going to remember the word crap. CRAP!

Those are just a few things I'm finding easier/harder with preschool kids. Anyone else have anything to add about the upcoming ages and challenges I will soon face? Help a girl out and give me some warning!