When it comes to having children, not every child is the same level of difficulty. Every time you have a new one, the entire dynamic changes and you must learn to adapt to your little newcomer. The question is, which number child is the hardest? Is it the firstborn? How about the secondborn? Let’s dive into this multi-layered and complex question.
The Case for the First
The reason many say that the first child you have is the hardest is because it’s—well, your first! In most aspects of life, the first things are usually the hardest. We’re still adapting and getting used to something so new in our lives and it can feel almost surreal. For this reason, the case for the first is incredibly strong. However, the answer isn’t that simple.
The Case for the Second
The first may be the first, but it’s still just one child to take care of. Once you have your second child, the transition from having to take care of one to taking care of two can be exhausting and draining. More resources are depleted, especially from a financial standpoint, and now both you and your spouse must always be available and have all hands on deck. Then again, you’re also much more seasoned as a parent, so you’re more capable of dealing with it.
In Conclusion
Ultimately, it really depends on a few things. What kind of person you are, which of your kids was more of a troublemaker, and even what else is going on in your life at the time. There are so many other factors involved, and nevertheless, it’s safe to say that any amount of kids is difficult. Wonderful, but difficult!