What Is the Hardest Thing About Being a Parent?
Sometimes being a parent can seem so hard, and it's the only job for which there is no compensation and no vacation days. People who are expecting their first child or considering parenthood may wonder what the hardest thing about having children is. While every parent's path varies, there are a few things that many parents face challenges with.
-
Financial Difficulties
-
It's a fact of parenting that kids are expensive. Between diapers, clothes, toys and special equipment like high chairs and toddler beds the costs can really add up. In addition, there are indirect expenses. For example, if one parent gives up his job to stay home with the child, the family loses that additional income. Alternatively, if you put your child in day care or hire a baby sitter or a nanny to care for your child while you work, those costs can put a strain on your budget.
Independence
-
Some parents have a hard time adjusting to the lack of independence they experience once they have kids. Before having children, parents might have enjoyed sleeping late on weekends, taking impulsive romantic vacations and going to restaurants whenever they wanted -- many adjustments need to be made once children are in the picture. Young children are frequently awake at the crack of dawn regardless of what day of the week it is. The only restaurants you may see for a while will be the kind with kids' menus, crayons and napkin dispensers. Additionally, impulsive vacations are hard to pull off when you need to find someone to watch your children while you're gone (or your vacation destinations are limited to places that are kid-friendly).
Lack of Sleep
-
Some parents think that the only time they will be sleep-deprived is when their child is a newborn. While that is definitely a tough part about having a baby, it may continue to be a problem for several years. Some kids continue to wake up with nightmares well into their toddler and preschool years. They may even need a parent to take them to the bathroom or to get a drink in the middle of the night. If you let your child sleep in bed with you, you may spend your nights fighting a two year old for the blankets and getting kicked by tiny feet over and over again.
Getting Support
-
It's vital that parents get as much support as possible. If you have a partner, delegate some of the parenting responsibilities so you're not the only one in charge of the child. If you don't have a partner, ask your family or your friends to help you out by watching your child for an afternoon so you can run errands or even just shower and take a nap. Consider joining a parent's group in your area to meet other parents with kids the same age -- sometimes just having someone to vent to can make you feel much better. The website Family Doctor suggests speaking to a minister or your family doctor if you're having a hard time. Remember to take some time for you. It's easy to forget that you have needs as well, but you need to take time to paint your nails or watch your favorite television show after your child is in bed.
-
-
One of the most important things you can teach your son is to respect women. A boy who respects girls is more likely to grow into a man who treats women well. A man who thinks of women as his equals sets himself up for healthier relationships, whethe
-
The way you choose to raise your children will impact not only them, but the people around them for the rest of their lives. Giving them a solid foundation of family morals and ethics will set them up to be successful and have positive interactions w
-
We all know children don’t come with rule books, and most parents are doing their very best to raise good, kind children. So when a mother you know is having a difficult time with her unruly child, it might be tempting to walk away or dismiss t
