Is anyone willing to admit they haven’t found parenting that hard?

[moctodtensmum]

I’ve been reading a thread about whether to have kids and so many posters talk about how hard child-rearing is and how much parents complain. It’s true in RL too, the narrative is what a slog it all is.

This just isn’t my experience and I have several kids the oldest of whom is 15. Now I know I’m lucky that so far none of my kids have had significant health problems and we have a comfortable income. Change either of those criteria and it would be very hard. But I hear many parents in a similar position still saying it’s awfully hard.

Of course there are hard days but my overall experience of parenting is that it’s made most days more fun, more loving, more full and much brighter. The highs in life are immeasurably higher. The lows can be lower too but I actually like the heightening of all emotions.

I love my kids and I like them. I enjoy their company. They push me out of my comfort zone so I try new things and life is therefore more interesting and full. They haven’t stopped us doing much, we just do it together.

I have no other family so the creation of this little family of mine is everything to me.

I’m not boasting. I know I’m very lucky. I’m just interested in whether others feel similar and just keep quiet so as not to be accused of smugness? I sometimes wish that instead of worrying about smugness we celebrated the experience of child rearing a little more.

I found it all a wonderful experience babies-easy toddlers-entertaining schoolkids-enlightening teenagers-FUCKING nightmare!!!

Me.
3 kids now in their 20s
My day job is much harder

I didn't really want to be a parent.
However I have loved it! Ds1 was a dream as a baby but a bit moody as a teenager but not really hard work. He was the class joker and we had to clamp down on him for acouple of years.
Ds2 was a cry baby until he became a toddler and was an absolute joy since.
They have been funny, interesting, hard working and done well with school, friendship groups, and now work.
We love socialising with them now that they are young adults. It's great going to gigs, theatre, hikes and meals with them and we have enjoyed debates from everything from who is the GOAT rapper to the advantages and disadvantages of Brexit since they were in teens.( although it stings when their politics are so wide from yours!!!)
I thought the teen years was going to be horrendous. It wasn't,it was awesome watching them develop and grow. However it was over in a blink of an eye.

That's my experience too peaceanddove
I adore the company of my teens and their friends. And indeed that of my early 20's DD, her boyfriend and friends.
I did love my children when they were babies and toddlers of course, and there were plenty of happy and enjoyable times, but I would say the best part to date has been from them starting secondary school onwards. If I could repeat any of my life I think it would be my DD's teens as we did so much together and I really miss having her at home full time. But really I prefer to look forwards and say that the best bit is the current bit, but there is still more to come.
I know some people do have terribly difficult times with their teens and I am very lucky, but I do think it is sad that so many people say "Just you wait til they're teens" in a negative tone, as if it is inevitable that the teenage years will be a nightmare. I wonder how often that is a self fulfilling prophecy? Almost all the teens I work with in my paid job and my voluntary role are bright, interested and interesting youngsters but lots gain a negative label in their early teens and then go on to live down to society's expectations.

I didn't until Ds2 came along. He is a demon child, he's 6 now and he's still Satan's spawn.

I have found parenting quite easy. The thing is I like kids and teens too. I was a teacher for many years and enjoyed it including Sixth Form. My children are grown now and I am a foster carer and so see many damaged children. I find if you give them good nutritious food and not allow much sugar, make sure they get enough sleep, encourage and take them to
lots of outdoor activity and sport and don't allow more than a couple of hours of gaming each week they are calmer and happier. I take each child to do at least one activity every night sometimes two. A mixture of swimming, Scouts, karate, cricket training and running with occasional ice skating, tobogganing or trampolining. I take to dance and drama or sports classes in 1/2 terms. In time children start to get good at these activities and it boosts their confidence. They make more friends and become popular and more outgoing. I enjoy their sucesses especially when a damaged child calms down and learns to trust and love you. All children are good at something, the trick is finding out what, be it den building, singing or dancing. AWe have had childten some would find horrendous but being patient and keeping them busy seems to turn them around. No time for mischief perhaps.

Wow, you sound like you really live up to your name caringcarer
What a fantastic job you are doing.

Seriously you people, do you never lose your temper or feel frustrated with your kids, have battles over technology or TalkBack and cheek. You're making me feel really inadequate.

I found it all easy, tiring yes, but new born up-to 11 was easy he was a very easy going child and was such a happy content baby/toddler. Had his moments especially over homework

Changed last year but things that changed in ds life is what set it off him feeling very anxious this has been very difficult to deal with

And yes now getting back chat, constant arguments about gaming/iPhone and attitude right now I am a terrible mum can’t remember why