It's naturally a sort of joke you make once you have kids. They are a nightmare. You'll never sleep again etc. But of course it's a wonderful thing. Hence why many have more than one.
I absolutely love my kids. It was what I wanted. I don't regret it. They are funny. They are rewarding. Highlights for me were the early days. There is nothing better than that newborn bubble. People say it's so hard. You feel like a carcrash etc. For me it wasn't that. Yes I felt abit sickly and tired at times. But it was blissful. Especially with my first. I loved showing her off. I loved our snuggles. Probably sounds sad but when she was really tiny I loved snuggling up with her and watching one born every minute. I personally loved the journey to motherhood and nothing beats the scans and the anticipation of a new baby.
The milestones are also a huge rewarding positive thing. Everything from smiles, laughs, first foods, crawling, walking, talking.
Then the trips to the parks, summer, birthdays, days out to parks and zoos, holidays, baking with them. Snuggles with them. Christmas and how the magic lights them up. Easter. Bedtime stories. Watching them learn to play. Seeing them do little things like dance or sing. Learn to read. Start writing.
I've been a a sahm with mine. My eldest is now at school aged nearly 5. She loves school and she was so ready for more routine and structure. But I do miss those early years when she was at home watching peppa pig with spaghetti hoops at dinner. We could get up and go out when we wanted. That said seeing her learn at school is so rewarding. The school runs are good as we are up and ready for the day. I now have her little brother at home aged two. So we have our days pottering around. I absolutely love them.
The things I personally find hard is mine never both seen to go to sleep early enough. So there's often still one awake at 9pm. So evenings have gone for me and my partner. I do miss sitting with him and watching a film sometimes.
When your kids have stomach bugs or are ill it's hard. I find the sick bugs a hard part of parenting and hate every second.
Keeping the house tidy now I've got two kids is hard. I sometimes do get down about it and feel I'm chasing my tail. Mucky walls and toys everywhere. Everyone dumps random stuff on the kitchen sides and I hate the clutter.
If you have family child care it can hugely help. In my case we don't. So therefore there's no date nights or trips to the cinema for us. Maybe once a year if we are lucky!
There's lots more positive reasons than bad. They certainly have enriched my life in a good way. Id feel empty without them. K would also feel lonely without a family.
I say enjoy your journey. Don't let people patronise you about it. Your life will be different xx