4 ms·

Let me add a data point in the other direction. The first ~six months of my kid's life was by far the worst time for me. Yes, there were other challenges as he

• TeMPOraL 4y ago
  I guess we were lucky then. The first ~6 months meant interrupted sleep, but it was somehow easier to bear than e.g. the 2-3yo period, when our older daughter refused to go to sleep before 23:00 - 00:00, and would wake up on her own around 06:00 anyway. But whichever way it turns for someone, what you note is true: sleep deprivation is awful, and it's hard to describe just how much and how.
• igortg 4y ago
  Fully agree. Sleep deprivation and the part where they get sick and aren't able to say a thing about the symptoms. Is also a period that is not very rewarding (they mostly sleep, eat and poop... although the small interactions are awesome).
• boringg 4y ago
  For the first kid its the two punch combo: lack of sleep and a completely new lifestyle that you are adapting too. Most people forget that there is a massive lifestyle change that can be hard depending on the lifestage you are at before the adjustment.
• mrguyorama 4y ago
  Another data point: I was the third child, and my mother has described my childhood as effortless. I was non-argumentative, aware, quiet, timid, patient, easy to entertain, and basically could take care of myself. Those kind of kids exist. It's a little bit of luck, some genetics, some good parenting, and some trust. My two nephews are also pretty easy kids.