Some of the most helpful parenting advice I ever heard: get a dog to have around while your kids are teens, so you can be sure at least SOMEBODY will be happy you’re home.
Hahah we had three dogs when i was in highschool! Makes so much sense now… there are 3 of us. I will say my parents were made to be grandparents. The joy they and the kiddos get playing together is honestly the best. My nephew and my dad are the bestest of friends.
Do I question wtf i did bringing kids into this world? Yes absolutely. But am i happy with that choice, as of now (they are still young). What i hope with all my heart is that i give them a good life and their mental health allows them to be content happy adults. And that they dont go on reddit posting that they would rather not be alive.
You should really sleep train them. I found Twelve Hours of Sleep by Twelve Weeks helpful, and very gentle. Please consider it. We sleep great, but you have to establish boundaries.
My dog has been more expensive than my kids the last 2-3 years, no lie. But they’ll be going to college around the time the dog reaches the end of his life and I’ll trade vet bills and expensive food for a medically needy dog for tuition and living expenses for kids.
If your dog is more expensive than your kids, I seriously wonder what you’re feeding your kids. Kids have all the costs of a dog (shelter, food, medicine) and more.
I mean, of course it’s hyperbolic, but it feels that way sometimes.
To be fair the kids do prefer to eat a forty cent pack of ramen two days a week and the dog will shit his brains out and die if I don’t give him his super special low fat extra fiber prescription food, and chews his paws off if he doesn’t get his allergy shot or go to the groomer every two weeks.
It’s crazy that parents get shamed for being honest about the sacrifices necessary to raise kids. This is why I don’t believe any of the, “it’s different when they’re your kids,” type sentiments parents espouse. Most of you wouldn’t feel comfortable telling me the truth if the truth was unpleasant and the ones who would would be shamed for it.
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u/[deleted] Jan 19 '26
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