The tradeoff you make is kind of wack. If you have kids, you're committing to an experience that is more full of meaning and joy than anything else you can do.

The tradeoff you make is kind of wack. If you have kids, you're committing to an experience that is more full of meaning and joy than anything else you can do. But a huge fraction of the time is just work or suck-- far more than you get to revel in that meaning and joy. And you give up a lot of other options. And there's no escape from the struggle. (I'm a father of 3 boys; they're awesome; I don't regret my choice. Though, it would be 10x better if I could have the best of both worlds and take a true break for a week or two every now and then ;)