Do you hate parenting?
… if so you are not alone. This article by Jennifer Senior has caused outrage. It basically says that having children does not make you happier. In Texas childcare ranks below preparing food, watching TV, exercising, talking on the phone, napping, shopping and even housework! Whereas children used to be economic assets now it is often the case that the world revolves around them and their needs. There is a huge amount of guilt surrounding parenting and “getting it right” in the eyes of others. As a result of parents are running around after their children trying to be “perfect” they often end up exhausted and then their relationships start suffering.
Senior is most accurate when she writes:
Children may provide unrivaled moments of joy. But they also provide unrivaled moments of frustration, tedium, anxiety, heartbreak.
Senior’s article will not come as any great surprise to most parents. However, it has been given a provocative title (like this post) to make the issue appear black and white. Obviously this over-simplifies the matter but there is nothing like stirring up a bit of outrage because it is definitely taboo to admit that you don’t love every moment of parenthood.
When you have children it can take time to adjust to their needs and you are bound to have moments when you are driven half-crazy by your kids, but this doesn’t stop you loving them any less. It certainly doesn’t mean you hate parenting. It is more likely to mean that you enjoy and need a well-earned break from time to time.
Let’s face it, if we all hated parenting no one would ever have more than one child and this is definitely not the case! So, if there are any cons, they are definitely outweighed by the pros.
Tags: childcare, hate, jennifer senior, Parenting