I also had kids, and while I love my kids I haven’t loved spending time with my kids. This will hopefully change as they age, but the first six years have so far been very much a drag on my life and productivity, and not much else. They haven’t provided fulfilment, and they haven’t provided satisfaction. Some joy is there from time to time, definitely, but nothing in the way the author describes. Happiness for me typically starts after my kids are in bed or when I can escape them during work hours. My wife finds great happiness in our children, and I find happiness in that, but I’m desperately waiting for my kids to be old enough that I only need to spend time with them instead of constantly caring for them. Sorry if this is a bit of a dark comment, but I just wanted to say it’s not always the experience this author had, even if it seems common. Generally, I regret having kids, but I also can’t change that decision and I would never back away from my choice - that’s completely unfair to them, as well as my wife. Such is life. I try to keep looking forward to when they’re older as a way of staying positive.

Before kids it was easy to judge bad parents. Then one day with child I found myself due to circumstances in a store way past my child’s bedtime. She was screaming and crying, because it was way past her bedtime.

Then I realized… I was now “the bad parent” I had so easily judged.

Then it was easy to judge parents with children younger than mine.

Until I learned that not all children have the same issues in the same order.

Then I learned it’s easier not to judge at all.

Having kids is a gift. But this is one of these kinds of knowledge that once you know you immediately can't explain to others who don't.

Having kids may not be for everyone, but it is the best thing that I have ever done in my life.

While there are always those lows, when the kids are sick, scream, have tantrums, do something stupid, I would not trade a second of that away. A lot of happiness and laughs as well, along the way.

They grow and you're privileged to live with them for a while. Also you'll grow with them.

Having kids was my best decision ever. Thrice.

As a father of 3, nothing is more satisfying than raising kids.

We are having our second in a couple of months. I am am so scared of losing my job in tech due to ai and not being able to support my family.

I've lost all my peace of mind and this job loss background thread keeps running in my brain all the time.

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