It's like a kid insofar as it takes a fair bit of effort, constrains your life, and you have to deal with another sentient being with their own likes, dislikes,

It's like a kid insofar as it takes a fair bit of effort, constrains your life, and you have to deal with another sentient being with their own likes, dislikes, and ability to make mess that you're responsible for. So you learn a lot about your own tolerance for dealing with all of that. But there's a lot more of all of that with kids, and obviously the details are vastly different.