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Jan Frederick's avatar

A wonderful telling of your experiences! Having the experience of giving birth and raising a child is unique for everyone. There is really nothing you can tell someone thinking about having a child other than plan what you can ahead and hang on! I only had one and it was definitely not easy, but worth it!

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Clint Redwood's avatar

I’d add that as a man who has done full-time childcare for part of my kids early like, that too was very rewarding but simultaneously extremely hard work and unbelievably boring. With hindsight, I’m so glad circumstances made that happen, because I’ve learned first hand how hard child-rearing is, and why it needs to be treated as a hugely responsible and valuable vocation, not devalued by a materially obsessed culture.

I’d recommend all fathers take a year out of work to full-time care for their kids pre-school, for their own benefit as well as enabling their partner and connecting with their children.

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Todd Guerrero's avatar

Very nice - so glad it worked out for you and your family - it usually does, but is not easy.

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Jennie C. Olbrych's avatar

Sarah, thanks for this.. I’m in the process of doing pre-nuptial counseling with a young couple and they want kids. I’d like to share a portion of this with them.. the part about having the conversation ahead of time about who will do what.. you said it so well.

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Carrie Etzel's avatar

I'm so glad I found this today! My oldest is 16 and I'm craving hearing from moms with kids who are inching toward adulthood. I love the advice you offer to folks contemplating parenthood as well.

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Jimm Murray's avatar

Another very descriptive and clearly written article, thank you

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Emily Elizabeth Logan's avatar

Thank you for writing this. I’m 6 months postpartum. It’s so helpful to hear women’s stories who are further along and honest about the beautiful and the hard.

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