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I have the totally opposite experience. Everyone I know who has kids is bored: they've given up on their side projects and resigned themselves to jobs they cons

I have the totally opposite experience. Everyone I know who has kids is bored: they've given up on their side projects and resigned themselves to jobs they constantly complain about but can't leave because they need to support their family. So I'm not sure having kids really matters here. I think the mindset change is more important. It's easy to forget that the world has so many interesting things to pick up and do literally anything with, much like your child. My friends who have kids don't think that way.

folkrav 5y ago
> Everyone I know who has kids is bored: they've given up on their side projects and resigned themselves to jobs they constantly complain about but can't leave because they need to support their family. Bored and giving up side-projects are two different things. I did give up side-projects after having my son, but it's far from being boring. As for the job thing... I guess you don't frequent that many people with kids? Or you just happend to know unhappy people? I've changed jobs 2 times (well, 3 if you consider COVID related job loss) since my son was born.
- kevmo314 5y ago
  Definitely don't appreciate the conclusion that I just know unhappy people. As I mentioned, I don't think having kids has anything to do with it.
  - folkrav 5y ago
    I said you just happen to know unhappy people, not that you only know unhappy people.
- rdtwo 5y ago
  I’m bored, starting at my phone while my kid snacks or does activities… so yeah
  - folkrav 5y ago
    By that metric I could say the same of literally everything I do in life. Being bored at times is just normal... Meanwhile I go outside with my son, race down the street, or just kick a ball, and watching him laugh isn't boring at all. YMMV.
devnulll 5y ago
Parent here, of 3 pre-teen kids. My experience is that having kids has brought a joy of learning and exploration like little before. We constantly visit flight museums, train museums, and do unusual things like joining Facebook 4x4 groups and go on weekend adventures. We've done local MTG events and similar. Last weekend we went to the local Japanese Garden (yea, spring!) and the kids dressed up in crazy clothes for some fun pictures. I can't sit still, so am always looking for new things to do. Having children do this with me bring joy to me, and to them.
jokethrowaway 5y ago
It could be they didn't have enough money to have kids. Nowadays most families can't afford kids at the same standard of, let's say 40 years ago with the same amount of parents time. I think it's crucial to be at home for kids and at maximum one working parent working full time

folkrav 5y ago

> Everyone I know who has kids is bored: they've given up on their side projects and resigned themselves to jobs they constantly complain about but can't leave because they need to support their family. Bored and giving up side-projects are two different things. I did give up side-projects after having my son, but it's far from being boring. As for the job thing... I guess you don't frequent that many people with kids? Or you just happend to know unhappy people? I've changed jobs 2 times (well, 3 if you consider COVID related job loss) since my son was born.

kevmo314 5y ago
Definitely don't appreciate the conclusion that I just know unhappy people. As I mentioned, I don't think having kids has anything to do with it.
- folkrav 5y ago
  I said you just happen to know unhappy people, not that you only know unhappy people.
rdtwo 5y ago
I’m bored, starting at my phone while my kid snacks or does activities… so yeah
- folkrav 5y ago
  By that metric I could say the same of literally everything I do in life. Being bored at times is just normal... Meanwhile I go outside with my son, race down the street, or just kick a ball, and watching him laugh isn't boring at all. YMMV.

devnulll 5y ago

Parent here, of 3 pre-teen kids. My experience is that having kids has brought a joy of learning and exploration like little before. We constantly visit flight museums, train museums, and do unusual things like joining Facebook 4x4 groups and go on weekend adventures. We've done local MTG events and similar. Last weekend we went to the local Japanese Garden (yea, spring!) and the kids dressed up in crazy clothes for some fun pictures. I can't sit still, so am always looking for new things to do. Having children do this with me bring joy to me, and to them.

jokethrowaway 5y ago

It could be they didn't have enough money to have kids. Nowadays most families can't afford kids at the same standard of, let's say 40 years ago with the same amount of parents time. I think it's crucial to be at home for kids and at maximum one working parent working full time