Covid has shown me that a lot of parents shouldn’t be.
During the period that everybody was stuck at home there was a large amount of people that found out that they don’t know, or want, to raise a child and couldn’t wait to get them to schools or activities just to get rid of them.
My ex used to say “you can’t be expected to give up your social life just because you have a child”.
My kids and I are better off now.
“It takes a village to raise a child” is an old expression for a reason. Historically (EDIT: And today in most of the world), parents wouldn’t take care of their kids 24/7. They would have parents, siblings, neighbours and friends to help share the load.
The idea that parents and parents alone do 100% of everything to raise a child is a very modern western thing.
I understand battling the pull of phones and tablets with kids is hard but you’re lying to your self if you think it’s going to work out ok if you give in, every other kid has one how bad could it go really?
This is a strange take. It’s okay to be a parent that wants alone time, or time away from their kids. It’s no different than wanting time alone from any family member. It doesn’t mean you don’t love them, it means you enjoy being with yourself and fulfilling your own wishes sometimes. I have a really hard time believing anyone who says they love to be around a toddler 24/7. It’s just not humanly possible.
‘I’ve never flown a helicopter but if I saw one in a tree I’d be like “you fucked up”. that’s not supposed to be up there—that’s pilot error’.
-Steve Hofstetter
No, but parenting can be pretty complex and there is a large degree of variability child to child. The idea that you either are a psychotic helicopter parent (because there is really no other interpretation to demanding a parent be around their toddler 24/7) or simply should not have children is a gross oversimplification and also, more importantly, fuckinh prima facie dumb as shit.
Covid has shown me that a lot of parents shouldn’t be. During the period that everybody was stuck at home there was a large amount of people that found out that they don’t know, or want, to raise a child and couldn’t wait to get them to schools or activities just to get rid of them.
My ex used to say “you can’t be expected to give up your social life just because you have a child”. My kids and I are better off now.
“It takes a village to raise a child” is an old expression for a reason. Historically (EDIT: And today in most of the world), parents wouldn’t take care of their kids 24/7. They would have parents, siblings, neighbours and friends to help share the load.
The idea that parents and parents alone do 100% of everything to raise a child is a very modern western thing.
We better adapt soon becuse the village is dead and it isn’t coming back.
For the families who can afford it, daycare is the replacement.
Where I live it’s literally cheaper to lease an electric car than it is to put a kid 5 days per week in daycare.
Actually play groups and friend networks are pretty common now
And you get crucified by them if you bring it up.
I understand battling the pull of phones and tablets with kids is hard but you’re lying to your self if you think it’s going to work out ok if you give in, every other kid has one how bad could it go really?
https://12ft.io/https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/03/teen-childhood-smartphone-use-mental-health-effects/677722/
This is a strange take. It’s okay to be a parent that wants alone time, or time away from their kids. It’s no different than wanting time alone from any family member. It doesn’t mean you don’t love them, it means you enjoy being with yourself and fulfilling your own wishes sometimes. I have a really hard time believing anyone who says they love to be around a toddler 24/7. It’s just not humanly possible.
My solution to not wanting to be around a toddler 24/7 is to not make a toddler in the first place.
Cool. You clearly don’t know what you’re talking about then!
‘I’ve never flown a helicopter but if I saw one in a tree I’d be like “you fucked up”. that’s not supposed to be up there—that’s pilot error’.
-Steve Hofstetter
Bad metaphor tho
Yes, children are truly a mystery. And very complex.
No, but parenting can be pretty complex and there is a large degree of variability child to child. The idea that you either are a psychotic helicopter parent (because there is really no other interpretation to demanding a parent be around their toddler 24/7) or simply should not have children is a gross oversimplification and also, more importantly, fuckinh prima facie dumb as shit.