The Stress of Parenting: What They Don’t Tell You

home insemination Kit

Let’s be real—having kids can be a blast. Sure, I can’t recall a ton of specific examples, but I enjoy chatting with the other cool parents at the playground, and I’m pretty sure my son is going to convince my wife to let us adopt a dog soon. So, those are a couple of perks! Plus, kids can change your perspective and help you grow as a person, shift your priorities, and make you see beyond yourself… zzzzzzzzzzz.

Those Z’s represent the flip side of the “I’ve never been happier!” coin. Children also rob you of sleep, drain your wallet, upend your lifestyle, limit your free time, and, believe it or not, raise your blood pressure.

I’ve never felt more anxious than I do now after over two years of being a dad. Sure, I’ve experienced some incredible highs watching my son grow and learn, but I’ve also noticed my hair turning gray at an alarming rate, wrinkles sprouting on my face, and me morphing into a bundle of stress.

When you become a parent, a whole new world of worries opens up. Forget about the usual adult concerns like work and health; suddenly, you’re fixated on SIDS, choking hazards, and whether or not your little one is watching too much TV. And let’s not even get started on bullies, ADHD, and the fact that there’s a bumpy red monster that looks oddly like a toy you’d prefer him not to emulate. And, oh yeah, there’s also global warming and all those Amber Alerts flashing on your phone!

It begins when they’re babies. Every little thing sparks panic because, let’s be honest, you have no clue what you’re doing. Is that normal? Should he be doing that? Oh wait, it’s just… his little boy parts.

You become so tense that even during the good moments, worry creeps in. When we began sleep training, I was a ball of nerves, praying we’d make it through the night without a meltdown. And once he got the hang of it, I’d freak out if he was too quiet. Is he okay? Is he breathing? Oh my god, what is that? Oh right, just his little boy parts again.

Eventually, you learn to accept the quiet moments as they come and trust that everything will be alright. After all, if cave babies could survive in a dinosaur-infested world (I’m no scientist), I’m pretty sure today’s kiddos can thrive without a video monitor, right?

Then comes the toddler stage—a wild time filled with chaos and constant worry. Just keeping an eye on a 2-year-old can make your heart race. Raising a toddler is less about what you’re doing to keep them safe and more about what they’re oblivious to when it comes to their own safety.

One moment they’re scaling the couch, and the next, they’re trying to reach the sink by moving an ottoman across the room. During dinner, they’ll cough dramatically just to get your attention—scaring you half to death. And when you take them outside, they’re like little tornadoes, darting into traffic or careening into trees.

They’re testing boundaries, living life on the edge, and frankly, it’s exhausting. On top of all this, being a parent makes you feel older than your years. The reckless fun you had as a kid no longer seems cool when your child tries it; it just feels dangerous, and you find yourself turning into your own parents.

The worst part? You’ll always be on high alert. It doesn’t matter how chill you were before; once you have kids, your mind is forever occupied with thoughts about their safety—whether they’re 3 months, 3 years, or even 30 years old. Now I get why my parents still wait up for me when I visit.

For more insights on parenting and managing these worries, check out this resource for at-home insemination kits and this blog for valuable information on pregnancy. And if you’re curious about the insemination process, have a look at another one of our posts for more details!

Summary:

Parenting is a rollercoaster ride filled with moments of joy and overwhelming anxiety. From sleepless nights to toddler chaos, the worries never seem to end, and you’re likely to feel a constant sense of alertness about your child’s safety. Understanding that these feelings are part of the journey can help you navigate through the ups and downs of parenthood.