To not understand how children bring anyone joy?

[Bluerainbow86]

I know, I know, no other love like it. But that’s not especially positive is it? Because it just leads to worry and stress.
One of my children has additional needs, which likely doesn’t help, but how does anyone ever enjoy anything with their children?
The only way I can see it is possible is if you have one child, NT, hands on partner, plenty of cash.

No other situation seems to lend itself to anything particularly positive.

I love my daughter but I haven’t been happy since she was born. I find every day life hard, I dread waking up. Everything is hard. I’m not NT so I think that’s a lot to do with it, parenthood is the thing that pushed me over the edge.

@WetSausageRoll

I love my daughter but I haven’t been happy since she was born. I find every day life hard, I dread waking up. Everything is hard. I’m not NT so I think that’s a lot to do with it, parenthood is the thing that pushed me over the edge.

Please,see someone for counselling

I have, the counselling provided on the NHS is laughably shit. I take Sertraline and that takes the edge off.

I'm so sorry you are finding it tough.
I find parenting really difficult/challenging. I'm a solo parent to 2 under 4, both possibly ND. I have sod all money apart from basics.
It's unrealistic to feel continuous joy, both any moments of what might be termed 'joy' are to do with them.
So, it's a slog, there's some really crappy aspects, but in a world full of choices, I'd always choose them.

It’s obviously hard to comment on something you have no experience of?

Lots of joy but obviously hard work too!

I find the joy increases as they get older moms!

*Mind, not moms

I found more so when I was little, the lack of being physically a separate being hard, and the need to always be mentally present and not “switch off” tricky.

When they were little, not when I was!

Yip he sounds like an idiot. Imagine his children hearing him say that one day.

To you they are more enjoyable, that doesn’t discount the experience of people who find their children enjoyable despite the challenges.

@WetSausageRoll

I love my daughter but I haven’t been happy since she was born. I find every day life hard, I dread waking up. Everything is hard. I’m not NT so I think that’s a lot to do with it, parenthood is the thing that pushed me over the edge.

What is NT?

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time, OP - I'm not surprised YABU!

But even with fewer challenges, the joy is in the moments rather than the long slog, but I can totally see that in OP's position, the slog is totally overshadowing everything else.

I think if it helps, things will change, they will go in stages and it'll get to a point where things aren't as hard.

@PeriChristmas

NT means neuro typical, as opposed to neuro diverse (ND).