I love my kids but I’m also jealous of anybody who doesn’t have kids

[Anonymous]

More time to focus on their career, sleep, exercise, watch TV, go out to eat and watch movies, do anything they da*n well please.

Anybody else?

It gets better when they’re teens right? I’ll have my independence back?

[Anonymous]

You’ll have more time to do all that stuff when they’re teens, but the new stresses and worries are no joke. I’m still not jealous of childless people, though.

[Anonymous]

I've always wanted children ever since I could remember. I am deeply fulfilled with parenting, even though parenting my teen with special needs is worrying, because of what the future holds for him.

It's hard for me to imagine being happy without children, but I do my best for my childless cousins. If they're happy, that's great.

[Anonymous]

All my childless friends look so well rested. I will admit im jealous of that. Being a parent comes with challenges but also a overwhelming love. Other than the lack of sleep not jealous but definitely see the perks of being childless.

[Anonymous]

Yeah I am not jealous of my childless peers BUT I have started checking out a little more to focus on my own interests. I feel slightly bad about that. Part of me is like — I won’t get this time with them back, I should focus on them all the time (when not working full time). They are mid elemen now, and sometimes I begrudge being their playmate (because of covid restrictions we waited a long time to have play dates and now only do masked!).

[Anonymous]

I’m only jealous financially.

[Anonymous]

I feel you, OP. So much. It’s been an incredibly difficult few years and especially for those parenting little little kids, there are different implications. Yes, teens may be harder but seriously right now so many of us are just sucked dry. Hang in.

[Anonymous]

I am childfree by choice and like that your post at least doesn't shade us. Thanks OP.

[Anonymous]

The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence

[Anonymous]

It does not get better when they are teens. Little kids little problems. The things that can happen. You do get some time but it’s no walk in the park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel you, OP. So much. It’s been an incredibly difficult few years and especially for those parenting little little kids, there are different implications. Yes, teens may be harder but seriously right now so many of us are just sucked dry. Hang in.

NP, but this is me. I have a toddler and a Kindergartener,. We dealt with years of infertility, so I am insanely grateful and have no desire to be childfree...but the last few years have been intense, with no breaks at all, and I'm fried.
My friends with older kids have different worries, but they all seem to have more time to themselves and aren't "on" 24/7/365.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It does not get better when they are teens. Little kids little problems. The things that can happen. You do get some time but it’s no walk in the park.

yep. Mosey on over to the Tween and College forums for a snapshot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel you, OP. So much. It’s been an incredibly difficult few years and especially for those parenting little little kids, there are different implications. Yes, teens may be harder but seriously right now so many of us are just sucked dry. Hang in.

+1

Parenting doesn’t come intuitively to me, which makes it that much more exhausting.

[Anonymous]

Lower your expectations for yourself. More is demanded of parents now than ever before in history. Let things go. It’s okay to have some things you prioritize for yourself.

[Anonymous]

No tbd. I feel sorry for people without kids. Kid is exhausting but I wake up excited to see him everyday.