to think that being a parent is, actually, the hardest thing in the world?

[bibbitybobbityhat]

Just had a bit of a lightbulb moment where it struck me that all the old cliches about parenthood are actually TRUE and that it is tremendously difficult to be a good parent all the time and no one really thanks you even if you pull out all the stops? And sometimes, just sometimes, you get tired of putting the needs of your child before your own?

YANBU.

yes it is bloody hard

and its even harder when you have no family support nearby to give you a break from it all

YANBU - sometimes I think about when the boys will leave home and i can have a bit of my life back!

Love them to bits though!!

You are in charge of another human life-thats big stuff, if it wasn't hard it wouldn't be worth it. YANBU

YANBU. It is the most difficult, challenging, thankless, full-on "job" I have ever had. There's no holiday or days off and no pay. I have moments where I wish I could make my children not exist for an afternoon so I can just do nothing. it's also the most wonderful job I have ever had and I love it.

YANBU

Its thankless but rewarding. Shift the balance to you for a bit if you can, do something selfish, it may make you feel better. You know all this of course I'm sure.

YANBU. And it's even harder when it's not your child by birth.

YANBU of course, as it can be desperately hard. But in my opinion, the hardest thing in the world is not being able to be a parent.

YANBU

I don't find it remotley rewarding at the moment.

No, of course it's not. What crap. There are plenty of worse things in life. Try holding the hand of someone you love as they die for starters.

I know you're probably just having an off day, but try appreciating the good things about your life. You'll miss them when they're gone.

See, I am having this revelation 9 years in.

Something awful happened today and it SUDDENLY hit me.

Yes, my dc are 6 and 9 and I love them very much indeed. We have survived all the tricky times and this is supposed to be the golden age of childhood.

But something happened today and it kind of hit me like a smack in the face, or a punch in the stomach, that parenting has moments of tremendous pain and hurt and anxiety.

Guess I'm just getting a snapshot of the teenage years to come!

bibbity are you alright mate?

[concerned]

I mean the hardest long term thing Inchhigh.

What makes you think I haven't sat with someone I loved dying?

YANBU.

And being a single parent - My God! I have been on my own for a few weeks - DH away, my mum (who usually helps out) away - and I am at nervous breakdown point with my children.

I bow down and kiss the ground that of every single parent who does even a half decent job of it walks on. God bless you.

I find it rewarding and love everything about children. I work in a nursery and I love all kids. I obviously have times I am a little stressed and some people think I am nuts as I work 5 days with kids including my own child there and then come home and do more kid stuff but I cant think of anything I would rather do.

Everyone doesnt get it right all the time and I have never subscribed to the competitive parenting club/toddler group thing so I have never felt guilty about anything I have done. I suppose it is cause I have worked with so many different children and they all go through difficult stages/issues and they are all different and special in their own way. I dont do need thanks from anyone other than the kids when they make you a picture, give you a hug or tell you they love you is enough for me.

Also I miscarried my second child yesterday

Thanks.

back soon.

so sorry sunny

I still don't agree that it's the hardest thing you could experience. Yes it's challenging, but I think mothers in particular are very prone to being martyrs and then moaning about it. Usually on here.

sorry to hear about your bad days, everyone. Of courseYANBU if that's how it's making you feel

YANBU I love DD but my god the thought of raising her fills me with excitement, fear and regret all at the same time. Also I hate always being the bad guy

Sorry to hear that Sunny. That really is difficult.

I am not a good parent all the time. So clearly I find it pretty hard. But I have days when I'm not a great teacher either. Or wife. Or friend. Or daughter.

I think it's OK.

Hope you and yours are OK.

Then please forgive me for having a moan once in 9 years ...