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Honestly, kids are not a plus much of the time raising them. They are expensive, time consuming, challenging to the spousal relationship, infuriating at times.
Was being a parent x 2 worth it to me? Yes. Raising kids ain't no Disney movie or TV show. Being a parent is hard work and takes all one has inside them. But I am privileged and proud to know the two grown human beings we made! I like them.
Raising children is often a thankless, endless job full of responsibilities. I love my children and I do think that being a parent has made me a better person overall but I can see why parenting can take a toll on your happiness. Your life is no longer your own. Every decision you make must include thinking of others and how it will affect them. So even if a job would be wonderful for your career but the hours are bad for having a family, you need to think of your family first. Its not necessarily bad but these types of decisions can erode personal happiness.
Those first 2 years were really hard for me. It is way better now, but I'll get back to you when they're teens!
The first 2-4 years are really tough depending on the child. My kids are older now. They are in middle school but I see the first buds of teenage rebellion already blooming. We need a scared smiley here. LOL
You know what? Sometimes and in some ways, parenting does suck and I see no reason not to be able to verbalize that.
I wish CD would create an Child Free forum. Give people who make that choice a place to express themselves and discuss the benefits they enjoy being child free. The constant "Parenting Sucks" threads posted in the Parenting forum coming from that quarter get old as do the posts by those on both sides who feel the need for everyone to agree with their choices.
And IMO, how can people who don't have kids judge whether parenting sucks or not? There are lots of things I suspect suck, but if I've never experienced or participated in them what I think is really not relevant and I leave the discussion of those things to people with actual frontline knowledge.
(Not pointing at people like you and others who have kids and actual experience in the joys and difficulties of the job of parent.)
The first 2-4 years are really tough depending on the child. My kids are older now. They are in middle school but I see the first buds of teenage rebellion already blooming. We need a scared smiley here. LOL
I'm probably in the minority, but I actually enjoyed the teenage years. Yes, there was rebellion and some scary shouting, but there was also the wonder of watching my kids figure out who they wanted to be. You'll get through those years and be amazed at what emerges at the end.
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