What do you love/dislike about being a parent?

[chicago]

I would love to better understand what this roller coaster entails!  What are the best/worst or hardest parts about being a parent, in your experience?

[scribellesam]

Best: In the beginning, it's the snuggles and the smiles and the bonding. Then, the giggles and trying to get those first belly laughs. Now, it's getting to know his little personality: what he likes, his interests, his silly sense of humor. They grow up into these amazing little people that you just can't get enough of.

Worst: By far, the never ending everyday inanity of parenting. The schedules, naps, meals, bedtime routines. The same things constantly, every single day. It's exhausting, and there's really no way around it. It's such a huge change from the freedoms of pre-parenthood.

[ladygrey]

Best - fleece jammie snuggles, when she puts her hand on my cheek while nursing, watching her reach milestones and change/grow daily

Worst - dealing with the PP emotional roller coaster

[ssmjlm]

Best- watching her grow and learn. And when she sees us and lights up.

Worst- the roller coaster of parenting as first timers. It's been hard, but rewarding.

[asoctoberfalls]

Jan 13, 2014 18:59:25 GMT -5 scribellesam said:

Best: In the beginning, it's the snuggles and the smiles and the bonding. Then, the giggles and trying to get those first belly laughs. Now, it's getting to know his little personality: what he likes, his interests, his silly sense of humor. They grow up into these amazing little people that you just can't get enough of.

Worst: By far, the never ending everyday inanity of parenting. The schedules, naps, meals, bedtime routines. The same things constantly, every single day. It's exhausting, and there's really no way around it. It's such a huge change from the freedoms of pre-parenthood.

I couldn't have said it better!! My son enriches my life in every way, but at the same time, I REALLY miss my old life sometimes. For me, it's being responsible for someone else ALL the time that gets to me. I think I would feel differently if we regularly had breaks, like some of our friends whose parents take their baby overnight at least once a month. We have local family, but they never, ever babysit. We've never had even a single night away, and I miss that freedom.

[AmyRI]

Best: watching bitty babies turn into little people with their own personalities. Watching the 2 of them play together and give each other hugs. Seeing them hold hands in the car.

Worst: I haven't STTN in a year. I hear this will change someday, but I don't believe that BS. DS hardly ever STTN and he's 2.5.
And pumping sucks.

[Deleted]

Best: the laughs and smiles. Looking at this little person in amazement and knowing that we made her. Watching Dh falling more and more in love with her everyday. The way she lays her head on my shoulder when she's falling asleep. And I know its corny, but I truly had no idea that I could love her this much. And I love dh more than ever before (well, most of the time. Lol).

Worst: just the inflexibility to go to happy hour after work, or some place just dh and I without having to plan in advance. Or having a super lazy day where I dont want to do anything but read or whatever. Im always "on".

But really, it truly is the best. Im so excited to get home from work to see her.

[mlvmd]

Best: true love. I never realized I had this capacity for love. I just want to stroke his soft cheek and marvel at my little man. (Please note that such marveling is best done while child is asleep. Incessant chatter dims the amazement)

Worst: anxiety. I have such anxiety over something happening to him and my no longer wanting anything more from life. I don't want to impart that anxiety to him and while I want him to know how important he is to me I don't want him to be saddled with the knowledge that he is my entire world.

[hocus2]

it is very unrelenting. Pretty much most folks can take a night of poor sleep and keep rolling but parents do it every night. Sleep might not be your issue but there will be something that will just eventually take its toll over time bit by bit.

[carolinagirl831]

Best- snuggles, watching her change grow and learn. Being in constant amazement you created this baby!

Worst- how long it takes yo get out of the house... We still eat out, travel ect, it just takes longer and we take more stuff!
Worst for me is not so much middle of the night wake ups but never sleeping in anymore. DH and I take turns Sat mornings, but we used to love sat morning cuddling and morning sex.. Not anymore!

[Brie]

I love feeling like a rockstar. I walk into daycare after work and his face lights up and he runs over to me. It is so cool to watch him learn things, both on his own and that we teach him. I love it when he laughs and smiles and dances around. And the world is much more exciting to him, and it makes me stop and appreciate things more.

I dislike the financial impact--daycare costs are a total drag. Agreed about the inane, day in-day out stuff, like preparing bottles, pediatrician visits, fighting diaper change battles 10 times a day, etc.

[Brie]

It also sucks parenting when you're sick. I have an awful headache and just wanted to come home from work and lay down on the couch but I had to feed, bathe, and put the kid to bed first.

[niq]

I love every day being a new day, small family pleasures turning into the most exciting thing about his day. I love looking forward to him getting older and becoming his own person.

I don't like feeling like I am forever trying to solve variations on the fox-rabbit-carrot puzzle. The fact that spontaneous husband and wife anything basically can't happen anymore. The total impossibility of sleeping in, even on weekends, and the idea that that can last for almost a decade with two kids.

ETA I left off the unrelenting/always on thing but yeah that is no fun.

[rex]

Best: Baby snuggles, when she smiles at me just because she looked and saw me there, her giggle, her sweet sleeping face, baby toes, her squeals when I get her in the morning, seeing her grow and change, her crazy "mad scientist" hair, seeing my H with her, being needed and being depended on do make me feel pretty freaking awesome too.

Worst: Not being able to do whatever I want, whenever I want and the severely lacking alone time that I need in order to function normally.

[cilantro]

Basically everything Brie said. The smile and excitement I get from that kid when I pick him up from daycare is awesome. And there's something I can't put into words about what my family has become with the introduction of a child. My husband was always my rock, but my family now is something altogether sacred to me, and I'm more passionate about us as a unit than I ever could or have been about anything before. Nothing could ever hold my heart and attention the way it does now.

But I sure would like to go to a movie with my husband one of these days without there being an immediate $100 cost of a babysitter before we even get the tickets.

[Deleted]

Best: the absolute unconditional nature of the love I have for her. It feels so complete. I can't really explain but it's wonderful.

Worst: I worry way more than I ever did before being a parent...I'm responsible for someone's life - how the hell did that happen???

[osulori]

Best: baby snuggles, belly laughs, and seeing him change and grow daily.
Worst: no.more.spontaneous.anything.

[yellowbrkrd]

Best: How full he makes my heart feel

Worst: Inability to be spontaneous and not plan every single thing around naps

[littlemisschatty]

OP, "rollercoaster" is a good way of putting it!

Like:
- cuddling him to sleep
- his huge smile and laughs
- watching him do something new or discover some new skill
- watching my family enjoy him
- seeing my H as a father
- bath time and pjs after and the way he smells

Dislike:
- i miss fitting into my old clothes
- I miss having sex
- I miss sleeping on my own schedule

[undecidedowl]

Best: The most incredible and unconditional love that I never knew I could feel. The way he laughs with every ounce of his body and not a care in the world. When he melts into my arms and falls asleep like I am his safe place. The excitement over everyday things that I had lost appreciation for long ago. Feeling like my totally average kid is the most amazing person that has ever existed.

Worst: That my time is not my own. I want to sleep in, the toddler loves mornings. I want to spend a whole day shopping, he needs to take a nap. I collapse onto the couch at the end of a long day and he grabs my hand begging me to chase him.

[caramia17]

Best: Seeing the person she is becoming. Getting to re-experience firsts through her eyes. Hearing her say, "I love you mama!" in a way that I know, at least for now, I am (with H) her everything.

Worst: worrying that I am screwing her up all.the.time. Lack of morning sex. Being exhausted.

[greekypie]

Best: being your child's one true hero. That love is the most pure.

Worst: I despise the lack of downtime, not having any time to just sit & drink my coffee or read. I thought that only lasted thru the baby phase but holy hell, my preschooler is killing me softly with the constant mommymommymommy. I'm an introvert and it's truly debilitating some days that I never have a moment's peace. I'm so jealous of people without kids sometimes.

[DarcyLongfellow]

Best: I am constantly amazed by my daughters. I am fascinated by DD1's outlook on life -- I love seeing the world through four year old eyes. The love I feel for both of them is so strong that sometimes I feel like I'll burst. I love how DH and I are equally in awe of them, and how that's something special that only the two of us share. I love being the one they instinctually grab for when they're hurt or scared. Parental love is so primal -- I know, without a doubt, that I'd give up my life for either of them without a second thought. Snuggles and hugs from my babies are my favorite things in the world. And I love that -- even still for DD1 at four years old -- snuggling with mommy makes everything better.

Worst: I know it's a cliche, but your heart really does go walking around outside your body. It's a big bad world out there, and I can't keep them safe forever. DD1 has already had a couple friends at school be mean to her and hurt her feelings, and it about killed me. Also, I do have horrible anxiety. Medication and therapy help, but it's hard when my mind keeps racing to all the horrible things that could hurt them.

[Deleted]

I really, really, really disliked the newborn stage. I hated maternity leave and I HATED BFing and everything that came alone with it. Idk if it was the PPD or the colic, but these are all pretty flameful lol. It took me awhile to feel okay with how I felt.

Things are pretty good since four months and great since five months! It's so awesome to see her become her own little person with likes and dislikes. Most of the time, I feel really good in my parenting stride too as far as baby/work/social/marriage balance.

[winecheery]

Best: omg her laughter. I love it more then anything. Her smiles and how much her face lights up when she hears me or sees me. Watching her discover things is pretty fantastic too.

Worst: Well, right now it's the sleep stuff. It's recent issue, as she was awesome about sleep from early on…not so much these days. It's also hard making evening plans with other people; we kind of can't right now. I also miss the frequency we used to eat out.

[blindyswife]

Best:
The love is so full and so much that sometimes I feel like my heart could explode. Sometimes I stare at L amazed that he has turned into a boy with thoughts and ideas and.... its just amazing. I can't wait to continue to watch B grow and see who she becomes.

Worst:
For me, the hardest is the worrying. Does B have an ear infection? Did L eat enough today? Is he getting enough fruits and veggies? Will B take that bottle if I go to the movies with H? What if kids are mean to L when he goes to school? How tdo i model good body image and self esteem? What if they sleep around and get pregnant and do ALL THE DRUGS!?!!! I mean, I seriously worry about how to keep them well adjusted, happy, and teaching the to make good decisions. Ditto @kirkette at decisions you make now having long term impact.

The lack of sleep, lack of freedom, never getting any ME time... it all sucks. Hard. But the worrying is what is making my hair gray.

[Deleted]

There are so many bests to even list the biggest ones. Last night at 4 am DS woke up crying and I was annoyed that H once again was sleeping thru it. I got up and went into his room, laid down on the floor next to his bed after covering him up, held his little hand until he was snoring again. His sweet little fingers curled around mine made my day. The first time he said "I love you mommy" made my life! I love to see the world from his perspective and it's so fun to watch him learn things or try new things. He melts my heart.

Worst-pumping. Ugh. Not being able to go to some non kid friendly places without planning. Worrying about school and screwing my kid up-lol

All worth it

[docholly]

Best- Little quiet times like reading abook before bed, or snuggling in the morning... Getting to experience everythough through their eyes like the fair, or holidays, or seeing the ocean. Being their favorite person...

Worst- Feeling a little separated from the person I used to be. I had a major moment of sadness this weekend when I realized I hadn't seen a movie in the theater in months and hadn't seen any nominated for awards this year. I am a huge movie buff and that hobby has fallen by the wayside. Also, the pressure of trying to pay for the high costs of childcare/rearing and the pressure of balanancing work and home.

[pinkpinot]

PP covered a lot of "the bests" for me so I won't pile on but nothing beats the giant smiles when I get Wes from his crib in the morning.

The worst: dealing with babies' erratic sleep patterns and not being able to sleep in or lay around all day if you're not feeling good or just want to be lazy.

[halfpint]

Best - the snuggles, the love (my heart could burst), watching how being a father just suits my H, seeing how much my parents love their grandchild, watching him grow (seriously, every little development is so amazing)

Worst - the anxiety, I'm always worried about stuff now. Also, the inability to just be lazy as shit. I do kind of miss being able to sleep in on Sundays, grab breakfast whenever, go get some coffee, bum around Target, watch endless bad movies on Netflix and play Sims or some nonsense. Now I'm like, wow, if I just had some time to myself, I could steam clean the shower!