Hey Lemmy!

I’m a dad to a two year old boy. He’s very energetic and needs quite a bit of supervision. Other than that I couldn’t wish for a better son. I’d like to preface my actual question with saying I want to be a parent and I wouldn’t change that given the possibility.

The question is, does it get any easier? I have been stuck in a loop of wake up, take care of breakfast and other preparations, go to work, go back to parenting and maybe two hours of rest after the kid falls asleep. It feels like I don’t rest enough. I will however add that I’ve struggled with depression for the better part of a decade, I’m still pretty heavily medicated and in therapy. I’m much better than I was a few years ago, but the feeling of tiredness and lack of strength to be the best parent I can is at times getting the better of me.

I’m fully aware I put myself in this situation and I’m not sure I’d be happier with no kids. I guess I’m just looking for other people’s stories of when they were in similar situations or simply some words of encouragement.

Thanks.

  • owenfromcanada@lemmy.ca
    9·
    23 hours ago

    Parent of 4 and 6 year olds here–short answer, yes. Specifically, around age 4 is when you get better sleep and your kid doesn’t require quite as much supervision. There are challenges at every stage, but 0-5 is the hardest in my opinion. It’s okay to put some things on hold and lower your expectations for that time.

    • Cheery@lemmy.worldOP
      5·
      23 hours ago

      Thanks, especially that last part, I feel like I have to be a good parent and keep growing like I did before being a parent.

      • owenfromcanada@lemmy.ca
        4·
        22 hours ago

        I felt the same way. Also have a history of depression, your post resonates with me.

        The main thing I discovered is the difference between life-giving activities and life-draining activities. As a new parent, I felt guilty that I didn’t have the energy for some hobbies and gravitated to others. Things can be enjoyable but also leave you feeling drained–those are the things that will probably need to be on hold for a while. Once my kids got to school age, my energy levels changed dramatically and I’m now starting to get back into some of those things again.