Lauren

I agree that it’s staying up with a sick kid all night. There was one time in particular when my 20mo daughter had a high fever, the night after Thanksgiving, and I held her almost the whole night in the rocking chair because she couldn’t sleep. I was so exhausted but at the same time, my heart was full because I knew that in that moment I was the only person she needed. There’s nothing like being cuddled by Mommy when you’re sick.

I agree with this, especially the point about practically no one regretting having children. Yes, it may seem like people around you are complaining about their kids and the challenges they face, but I think complaining is so much easier to do than talking about the inexpressible joy that kids bring to your life. I personally love being a mom and I still find myself telling more “horror” stories to my coworkers than talking about all the lovey-dovey heart-melting moments, just because it’s difficult to explain that to people who don’t have kids. People may have moments of regret when they’re missing their old life, but overall I think most parents could not imagine their life any other way.