Having a child can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Anything from lack of sleep to its simple “never-ending-ness” can be enough to send an adult over the edge.
Today we have a question from AskReddit via u/ApprehensiveShock655, who wanted to know, “What’s the worst part of having a child?” Check out the best answers below.
1. Always
It’s incessant. It never stops. You never get a day off.
Going from having two days per week to relax and do whatever to literally never having a moment free from responsibility.
2. Anxiety
The constant anxiety that you’re doing enough to shape them to make good choices,a good life,be a good person and for them to have the life they deserve.
3. Worry
The worry that I’m a bad parent that’s doing things wrong.
4. Time
The days drag on, but the years fly by.
5. Every day!
You have to feed them like every day.
6. Weight gain
The weight gain! During the pregnancy I gained 35 lbs. My belly has stretch marks. My boobs are all saggy. And it’s not even fair because my wife only gained like 15.
7. Mistakes
Watching them make the same mistakes you did even though you told them not to make those mistakes.
Little Jimmy.. if you borrow a bunch of money, those people are going to want it back and if they don’t get it back they’ll take stuff you won’t want taken.
8. NPCs
When people ask me this I say. You know those video games where you have to escort a character to a destination without them being attacked. That’s parenting. Those missions are a pain in the ass.
9. Always there
They’re just always there. On you, behind you, in front of you, just a little speed bump impeding every task. Lol
10. Sleep
I’m only 9 years in, but so far it’s been the sleep deprivation. Hands down.
11. The world
Worrying about how the outside world will treat them.
12. Constant worry
Having a kid is like having a little piece of your heart running around in the world. When they’re sick or get disappointed or just feel sad, it’s worse than having it happen to you. Yet at the same time, you need to let your kids work through those things to learn to handle them. If you give into the worry and try to shield them from everything, you risk creating harmful co dependence. So it’s a constant struggle. But worth it!
13. Work
It’s like taking a 2nd job that lasts 18+ years with 24/7 schedule with no holidays or sick days.
14. Kids, man
Having to deal with their total lack of self preservation. They are creative and come up with all kinds of ways to try and kill themselves, keeping ahead of the game is exhausting
15. Disabled kids
If they are born with severe disabilities, you will need to take care of them or make plans for their care for as long as they are alive. It’s heartbreaking, many marriages don’t make it. My utmost respect to parents of special needs children.
16. Loss
Losing them. I lost my 14 year old daughter to suicide in 2020. It’s the worst pain and you can’t imagine it until you are in it. I’ll never be the same and if I didn’t have my son I’m not sure I’d still be here.
17. Illness
Having to take care of a sick child when you are also sick. For me that has been the most challenging part so far.
18. Loss of freedom
The loss of freedom. I can’t just…go somewhere. Even with older kids, there’s so much planning and thinking and getting ready.
19. Strain
The strain on your marriage/relationship. We thought we were completely prepared since our child was planned. Then you add the responsibility and stress and the take away sleep. (Didn’t sleep through the night for 9 straight months) We were at each others throats every single day. We finally got ourselves figured out and are good now
20. Your time is gone
Your life’s no longer yours. By time you get home from work, sort tea, sort kitchen, get then in bed you’ve about an hr before you gotta go to bed to start it all over again