AIBU To think that having kids actually isn't that stressful/tiring?

[Nicklt1988]

There may well be a back lash to this.

We have one DD (6 y/o) - and I can honestly say I have never really felt stressed/tired since she was born.

Me and my wife do the same level of caring, neither of us does anymore or less than the other and we split domestic stuff pretty evenly.

Maybe we have been lucky, but then again I don't think we have. When DW became pregnant neither of use worked and we had no where to live, so not not a stressful situation - over those 6 years we have worked hard and have a pretty good life etc.

Maybe it's has just been different for us compared to most - just that probably 80-90% of friends or people I speak to who have children (be it 1 or more) comment about how stressful it is and tiring.

I'm naturally quite a calm and laid back person so maybe that helps somewhat, my DW is different she can get very stressed over thing (not over DD though) and she has said she has never really felt stressed of tired from DD (apart from maybe the first 1-2 months from when she was born).

Does anyone else not find having kids stressful - or does anyone think I'm crazy to think it's not.

[thornrose]

Bye then, epic fail of a post

[thewildrover]

Reminds me a bit of when parents who have one boy and one girl say things like "oh, girls and boys are SO different. Boys are so X and girls are so Y"

And you just think, "huh, you have a boy - how the hell does that qualify you to talk about what boys are like".

Pompous no clue arses.

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

Peaks and troughs really.

It depends I find, on combinations of factors.

[Thesimplethings]

You asked if you were being unreasonable in thinking that being a parent isn't stressful?

I guess you got the answer. Different lifestyles, different children, different stresses. Perhaps if you had more children, huge childcare bills and endless sleepless nights you wouldn't find it so easy?

[gertiegusset]

Awwww, didn't anyone give you a pat on the back for being such a calm laid back Dad?

[todayisnottheday]

I have 4 dc. Two were not at all stressful. Two were very. Then they became teens, the two who had been easy became stressful, the two who'd been stressful became a walk in the park. Going on my experience your turn at being stressed is yet to come and you should buckle your safety belts now! Of course your dd may continue as a chilled and easy child all the way through, who can say? However, the fact is, dc are different, adults are different, situations are different. ... In fact there are so very many variables in parenting it would be unreasonable to draw any conclusions based on the experience of one family and one child.

[BOFster]

Ah, there's nothing like the complacency of the mildly-privileged to show the masses the error of their ways...

I'm actually pretty sanguine about my life and how I am with my kids, but there's nothing like being down to your last 27p for the weekend, or having to deal with a non-verbal and physically strong 13 year old with learning disabilities crying all day and biting you because they have some unfathomable pain somewhere that you can't divine, to occasionally knock your good temper out of whack.

OP, please try not to sound like a cock- I'm sure it's not your intention, but a bit of sensitivity goes a long way.

[m0therofdragons]

I didn't find one tiring apart from the newborn stage. The next 2 that came at once definitely changed that.

[scottishmummy]

I didnt find it tiring when they were at nursery ft.

[maddening]

Well your parenting your child is easy for you but that's as far as your statement can go without implying judgement on friends who find their own experience if parenting their own child tiring or stressful.

[Tikimon]

Personally, no 5 month old DD is not stressful. But she is a lot of work, and there are days I'm tired. But me and DH do a good job splitting baby duty and he picks up most of the night shift.

Also, you have made a grievous mistake in admitting you're a man on a board full of women who's partners have form for not helping out. Next time pretend you're a woman

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

I don't have kids, so I'll have to share gratuitous prejudice instead. Don't judge me, OP, I'm just not as awesome as you.

(The rest of MN, OTOH, is definitely as awesome as you, and posibly rather more so.)

[SoonToBeSix]

Yabu , and you don't have "kids" you have one child , just the one. I am not saying one child is easy it depends on the child. But if you have one easy child like you appear to then you can't claim to understand other peoples experience of parenting.

[Tapirbackrider]

For what it's worth OP...

DD - Easiest baby in the universe. Slept through at 6 weeks, rarely cried, happy, smiley, wonderful child.

Then came DS. Silent reflux, dyspraxia, premature, special needs, constant crying, feeding issues, sleeping issues...

If you are lucky to have a child like my dd, then you have been lucky, that's all, it doesn't mean that everyone is fibbing to you!

[scottishmummy]

Oh kristina,you dont need to explain a ghastly set of events or bereavement
Im sorry about your child dying.you don't get over it,but you do adapt

[gertiegusset]

There may well be a back lash to this.

You knew didn't you, you knew you were being a knob.

[KristinaM]

LOL @LRD

[BOFster]

I'll tell you something that really boils my piss actually: this idea that people who earn a comfortable living have that money because of their "hard work". There are plenty of people who work a LOT harder on minimum wage jobs. It really isn't as simple as the lucky layer imagine.

[thornrose]

Also, you have made a grievous mistake in admitting you're a man on a board full of women who's partners have form for not helping out

Absolute bullshit!

[TheFairyCaravan]

I have 2 kids.

One of the most stressful time was when they were both in separate hospitals 30 miles apart and DH was in a war zone. Both of our families "were too" busy to help, thankfully a friend stepped in. Oh, and I have a disability.

DS2 didn't know what sleep was until he was about 14 months old, and even then as a severe asthmatic he used to wake a lot throughout the night.

You are incredibly lucky not to find parenting stressful and tiring. My kids have been relatively easy compared to a lot of posters' on here, but at times I have been on my knees with tiredness.

[Aradia]

Hahaha I was like you well not as up my own arse thought it was fairly easy, this parenting lark.

Turns out I was dead lucky, DD was an angel child... Till she hit about 10. Stroppy teen nightmare soon put me straight on that one!

Then I had DS. A total tantruming, demanding, kamikaze whirlwind of a child who drives me to despair on a daily basis. Turns out I was a tad premature with my self congratulatory smugness and it wasn't my superior parenting after all. Who'da thunk it?

Ever thought of having no 2 OP?

[KristinaM]

Thanks scottish
You're right, I should not be drawn in by goady fucker

[CultureSucksDownWords]

Yeah, Tikimon,

[CultureSucksDownWords]

...oops.. the reason we're all disagreeing with the OP is because he's a man...hmm.