You don’t have to do these things, just because you’ve got kids.
As if simply being a parent weren’t already stressful enough, it seems there’s an ever-growing list of things we’re supposed to enjoy simply because we’ve been “blessed” with the “privilege” of raising fresh humans.
This is completely unfair.
I mean, just because I’m an adult, it doesn’t mean I suddenly enjoy washing piles of clothing (black hole-like in their infiniteness), going to the dentist or watching M*A*S*H (6-year-old me really thought that was a pleasure reserved for adults, as I could not have been less interested).
Sure, there are plenty of things I’ve discovered that I truly enjoy on account of doing them for my children. Watching soccer, soup-making and public transportation as entertainment, to name a few. Yet there are several things that I’ve given myself a “guilt-free loathing/straight up not gonna do it” card. It feels good. Real good.
1. Pet ownership.
I had a dog growing up. I remember thinking what a pity it must be to be a kid without a pet.
Likely because I wasn’t the person taking time out of my schedule to care for it beyond conveniently snuggling when watching TV or occasionally dumping food in his empty bowl after being asked to do so roughly seven times. Nor was I the person who had to foot the bill for vet care, nourishment or medication. And I certainly wasn’t the one who made the final call and heart-wrenching last drive in the car to end the suffering.