Why do people consider parenting so hard?

Question

I am a mother of a beautiful seven month old boy and am caring for my five year old cousin. While I know it can be challenging at times, I don't understand why people make such a big deal out of it being so difficult. I feel that as long as you set a good example, love and most importantly try to do the best you can, you are a good parent. So why is it considered so "hard?"

When did I say I was perfect? I'm far from it. I need to improve, everyone has room for improvement...but that doesn't parenting hard.

I just wanted to add--I don't find parenting easy. Because I don't find it hard doesn't mean I don't put effort into parenting. Just because I ask questions doesn't make parenting hard! Like I said in the original question--parenting has it's more challenging moments but I don't believe those moments make it "hard."

Answer 1

Neither you nor I have had to deal with the teen years yet. I have gotten a small does by having my now 18 year old brother living with me off and on. Teenagers are EVIL!!! This kid had all these little girls calling my house, ate all my food, drank all my pop, would NOT do his homework, stayed out til midnight when I had to be at work the next morning. See what I mean? I'm dreading when the time comes that my girls ask to date. That's a whole different world. Not to mention, my mom had me at 18, I had liyah (my oldest), I'm just worried that she will do the same. Oh, God help me....lol

Answer 2

Of course parenting is difficult-with 1 or even 10 children. It's hard because children are little people. they have needs that can be both emotionally and physical demanding for anyone. "It's the hardest job any good parent will ever love" Especially is they're doing it right. Besides that, I do recall you asking a question about your difficulties with your 7 month old just a few days ago. Parenting has it's ups and downs with all the blessings in the world. for those who find parenting easy-maybe they have nothing else in life to worry about and maybe they aren't paying much attention to the job they should be doing in order to do they're best.

Answer 3

Age is the great equalizer here. You are still in the first "blush"of parenting. As your beautiful son gets older and the daily grind simply wears you out physically and emotionally, then and only then will you understand. I love my two teenage sons. They are great kids and I am blessed to have them. They are also the Hardest thing I have ever done.Simply consider 18 years of worrying about clothing,shoes, fevers,lunch money, sex education,drivers ed, and of course finding out that your beautiful boy is now having an active sex life.Trust me...........enjoy every minute while they are little because the memories you make now is what will keep you from going absolutely NUTZ later. Invest in chocolate,good books, and prozac...........the older your kids get the more important these things will be. LOL.......Seriously all parenting is a challenge. You need to consider that everyone is in diffrerent circumstances.

Answer 4

You have a seven month old. Enough said. You don't know hardly ANYTHING about parenting. You haven't even been a parent for a year!

Wait until your kid graduates high school - then you can make an assessment on whether or not it was hard.

But for now, you probably should get off the computer, and actually spend TIME with your baby. And if you have problems, call your pediatrician instead of consulting the internet.

Answer 5

Being the parent of a seven month old isn't hard. It really isn't.

Being the parent of a child who has his own emotions and motivations, and who has to interact with other people in the world, is hard.
Keeping your own reactions and judgments under control to do what's best for your child is hard.
Watching your child pick up all your unconscious flaws, and fearing for him, is hard.
Seeing your child develop into something totally different that you may not even understand is hard.
Teaching your child to do what's best in situations where you have no idea is hard.
Teaching your child anything at all and yet allowing him enough freedom to make up his own mind is hard.
Deciding what kind of role model you want to be for your children, and becoming that, is hard.
Knowing when to push and when to back off is hard.

Answer 6

I have nine year old twins. Boy and a girl(sentence fragment I know.) It has been more rewarding than difficult, but they are always changing. That is the hard part. Keeping ahead of the curve. In a few short years they will be going through puberty. If you don't put in the time and effort now you pay for it down the road.

Answer 7

I think parenting is in the eyes of the beholder. Different people handle having children and raising them differently. I have 2 kids one is 3 and he has ADHD and the other is 6 months. My 3 year old is a challenge bc I will not let them put him on medication yet. I would not say it is hard but it does keep me on my toes. I give you lots of credit for taking on a 5 year old. Good luck to you!

Answer 8

well alot of us are not blessed with angels. Imagine this. A 4 and 5 year old and 20 weeks pregnant. And all my kids want to do is go for walks, play ball, go swimming, go bike riding, play games outside, and keep me on the move. It is not necessarily HARD. But it can be a challenge. But keep in mind part of the definition of hard had the work challenge in it.

Answer 9

As a mother of two boys, ages 4 and 81/2, I can understand that parenting can be described as hard. As our children grow and begin to make decisions, our influences are seen more readily in children. Also, they become more aware of feelings, others' feelings, worldy influences, and many other things. Parents have the great responsibility of teaching our children how to make "right decisions", how to overcome pain and loss, how to deal with feelings, confusion, and anger (to name a few). When children are very young...they only see "you" the parent and you are the answer to all of their problems. As they get older, they discover there are many others who have just as many answers as you do. Now, you are competing with the world, hoping that they will choose the path that will leave them with integrity and dignity. When they hurt, you hurt. When they make mistakes, you often blame yourself. Unfortunately, we cannot be perfect and while we "try our very best" the toughest part of parenting is realizing that "your very best" does not always produce the best results. Afterall, children are people, too, and they do make mistakes as well and often have to learn from them. It is hard to see them hurt.

Answer 10

Because when you are a first time parent you often make mistakes that lead to other mistakes and so on. Some people (and apparently yourself) have it figured out for the most part so it isn't as hard.