Mom-to-be asks if parenting is all about struggle, people responded with the best things about being parents
Hundreds of Twitter users weighed in to assure the expecting mom that while parenthood isn't easy, it is still a very rewarding experience.
Unlike the old days, parents today are far more open about the daily struggles that come with raising a child. While this helps people make a more informed decision about whether parenting is for them, the reality that parenthood isn't all tiny hugs and hot chocolate before bed does make some future parents nervous about what they're taking on. Writer Rose Stokes, who is expecting a child soon, recently took to Twitter with her concerns. "Without wanting to undermine the struggles of parenthood, which I know are huge, I'm getting a bit anxious with lots of people telling me how hard and difficult being a mother will be. As an antidote: parents of Twitter, what big or small things do you love about having children?" she asked.
Would just like to add here that you're all wonderful, that parenthood takes many shapes and sizes (and doesn't necessarily mean biological) and that you've all made my day/week/month/pregnancy much lighter! Thank you! 💫
— Rose Stokes (@RoseStokes) January 7, 2022
Hundreds of Twitter users weighed in to assure Stokes that while parenthood isn’t easy, it is still a very rewarding experience and the love she will feel for her baby eclipses the hard parts. "It's relentless when they're very young, rather than hard. The best thing is falling in love with them even more every time you see them. I remember breastfeeding my daughter at night & being overwhelmed with the waves of love for her. Every day they do something new & amazing," tweeted English radio presenter, Julia Hartley-Brewer. "Yes there's not much sleep at first, nappies & colic but just when you're exhausted after a few weeks, they smile at you for the first time and your heart will leap with joy. And just wait until you hear their first proper belly laugh. Glorious!"
But for me it’s often the funny mundane moments that make me so glad I’m a parent. For instance my 19mo leaving my entire family, everyone trying to get him to say bye to them, he refuses to speak and then goes “bye Mac” (the dog). 😂😂
— Lucy Huber (@clhubes) January 7, 2022
It maybe the hardest job in the world but it’s also the best and most meaningful. What I can promise you is that it gets better and better. Mine are now 9,10 and 14 and I wish I could stop the clock right here. Not pure joy. But many moments of it.
— Isabel Oakeshott (@IsabelOakeshott) January 7, 2022
When my daughter was really young she told me “Mommy, I feel like a China bowl in a bull shop.”
— Abby Alten Schwartz (@abbys480) January 7, 2022
How much they make you laugh. Inadvertently at first; now (at 14) deliberately. Other +s; stealing fishfingers off their plate, the kindness of strangers to anyone with a tiny baby, excuse to watch the Muppets. Ps there is no other love like it.
— gabyhinsliff (@gabyhinsliff) January 7, 2022
The love you feel is like nothing else on this earth. And the stupid yet profound nonsense they come out with is brilliant. It’s a supreme privilege watching a person grow.
— Lily Einhorn (@madewithstring) January 7, 2022
Speaking to Bored Panda about what's been worrying her the most about becoming a parent, Stokes said: "That I won't be able to cope with the momentous changes that it involves, especially the lack of sleep, and that I will struggle mentally." Reading the comments that flooded her tweet has made her feel much better, she revealed. "Definitely! I think it's all about balance, we of course need to be aware of risks and for the challenges not to be sugarcoated, but it's also important we don't tip too far into scaremongering. Having heard so many downsides I was really struggling to picture being happy in my future but the overwhelmingly positive responses really helped to level me back out," she said.
To me… being a mother is a lot more like being crazy, head-over-heels in love than anything else. It’s visceral, too - I crave their skin, physical touch; can’t get enough of their hair and breath and laughter. When you love someone so much you could peel them and eat them? That
— Victoria Richards (@nakedvix) January 7, 2022
When my girl was 6 months old I made a recording of her laughter and kept it on my desktop. She's now a funny, smart 15yo who takes no shit and I love the teen years more than anything. But I still listen to that recording and get a surge of joy every time. It's crack, basically
— Fiona Sturges (@FionaSturges) January 7, 2022
People don't tell you that you will find your kids hilarious. That they will add structure and balance to your life. They will improve your time management and make you a more empathetic and forgiving human.
— Laura Durcan (@Rheum2improve) January 7, 2022
I remember when my son was tiny and we'd fallen asleep and I woke up and saw him nestled in my arms, thinking "this is one of the best moments of my entire life".
— Helen Osborn 🦖 (@joeanddan) January 7, 2022
Don't sweat it. Human beings have been doing this successfully for millions of years. You'll be fine.
My most treasured memories of my children are of their backs, going away from me, as they first master something new. Walking, running, riding a bike, going to school, going out down the town with their mates. Bitter sweet, bursting with pride, and ever so lovely.
— Femme Loves💚🤍💜 (@FemmeLoves) January 7, 2022
One of the tweets that struck a chord with her, Stokes revealed, was one in which a mother shared "her mental illness had prepared her well for motherhood. Actually just seeing how much love people hold for their children was really heartening." Stokes, who is very excited to be a mother, shared that the thing that she is most looking forward to is simply meeting her child. "I spend so much time wondering about who they are and what they'll be like, it's exciting to know this new person is coming and we get to discover who they are and what they like all together. I can't wait!" she said.
Honestly, the hard stuff melts away when you feel their hand curl around your finger. Parenting is like starting life over again: their joy becomes your joy, their curiosity reignites yours. Everything will be more intense: the hard stuff, sure - but the love, too. It’s the best. pic.twitter.com/YcKWTMhdwK
— Oli Franklin-Wallis (@olifranklin) January 7, 2022
I found that none of this was the case. The 19 months I’ve had with my son have not been easy of course but they have contained so much joy and adventure and laughter. Seeing the world anew with him, having cuddles and watching him learn are such beautiful things.
— Isabel Hardman (@IsabelHardman) January 7, 2022
They are super funny and even when they are violent it’s comical , it’s amazing how something very small feels like a new discovery and everyday you learn something new about them, but the greatest is just how much strength they give you when you tap into that love you feel
— Sudi (@mariahsudi) January 28, 2022
It’s 2 lives. Before and after. But you get to fall in love again and discover intimacy you had never thought possible. You learn your capacity for love is limitless. For me, the best bits are moments no one else would understand or appreciate. When you and your kid just ‘know’.
— KarenLisaLaing (@KarenLLaing) January 7, 2022
Maybe this is because I became a mom late (37) but I love almost everything about parenting my kid. She’s a whole ass person and what a weird great thing, to get to raise and hang out with a whole ass interesting cool person all the time! I honestly have fun *almost* every day.
— Amber Sparks (@ambernoelle) January 7, 2022
My son has ASD so a lot of the time he doesn’t feel comfortable in social situations. When I gave him a hug this week he said, “Daddy when you cuddle me, I am myself”. There are moments like that every single day.
— Alex Myers (@AlexMyers) January 7, 2022
Many people have answered more beautifully and articulately than I could so I’ll just share that today I took my 3yo out for pizza and after five minutes’ contemplative chewing he said ‘You can’t talk to giraffes because they have long necks so you need to use a megaphone’
— Francesca Main (@francescamain) January 8, 2022
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