20 hours ago
- The author initially feared having children, viewing parents as uncool and miserable, but after having kids, found it unexpectedly wonderful.
- Having children triggered immediate biological and emotional changes, fostering a protective instinct toward all children, akin to a 'chemical switch'.
- Pre-parent observations were biased: only noticing kids in stressful situations (e.g., airplanes), missing quiet, magical moments of connection and peace.
- Children become interesting companions and friends, offering genuine fun and bonding, contrary to the author's childhood memories of parenthood as pure discipline.
- Kids reduce productivity and force a stricter schedule, but the author adapted by working within set times, accepting lower output.
- Having children may diminish ambition as attention shifts to them over personal projects, but using kids as motivation (e.g., writing for them) can counteract this.
- While missing pre-parental freedom (e.g., spontaneous travel), the author never fully used that freedom and finds more consistent happiness after having kids.