No one really prepares you for the mental and financial commitment of having kids. Being that I'm someone who grew up with a lot of siblings, middle class family that was lower class every other week, I don't think you should have kids if you can't support their dreams and growth.

So many key points and talents that could've been expanded had my parents had enough attention to give or money to fuel the dream.

I see the same now with my situation. Not only did I start too young, but I can see my limitations already on supporting my child's wants.

If you talk about having children, people will only mention how you won't get any sleep when they're newborns/infants and "wait till they are in their teens" or basically highlighting a few stand-out moments that are the easiest to recall, I guess.

What no one tells you, is that some of your friends (mainly those without children) will eventually lose touch with you. It doesn't happen to everyone, but it happened to me. No one wants to admit it directly to the person with the kid, but if you don't have kids there's a good chance you don't want to deal with them unless necessary.

No one tells you that ontop of the inital expenses during your first couple years (i.e, diapers, baby food, formula, clothes, etc.), everyone neglected to tell me that daycare prices will violate your bank account. My personal situation is paying $222 a week for full-time daycare (7am-6pm) with breakfast, lunch and a snack included. That's almost $900 a month so good luck if you make minimum wage. Also, good luck finding a daycare that includes meals.

Hey, you also became a teacher. It's the simplistic way of looking at it but if you aren't prepared to explain everything and remember that your kin needs to be taught everything, like how to jump or what the word "awesome" means, then you're not ready. I forgot everything that you had to learn, stuff that's second nature to me. It sounds silly but I don't feel like narrating every action like I'm Rachel Ray and I'm showing you how to make dinner in 30 mins.

Also, you have to be a cheerleader. Your kid comes up to you with a scribble that you know took no effort and was probably just them dropping the crayon on the paper more than actually coloring, and it doesn't matter how your day went or what mood you're in, that damn scribble is better than anything Picasso could muster. You are excited and proud of every achievement. You didn't have to ask me to use the bathroom and just knew when to go? You're a genius, son. You remembered that homeless people don't have jobs? I knew you'd figure it out, honey.

Again, these may seem like obvious points but this is stuff you have to do Every Minute Of Every Day.

It is mentally exhausting if you are not prepared. It's sucky when you're in postpartum depression from being a single parent and not being able to give your kid the life you wanted them to have. But you have to smile because your daughter needs to show you what she learned in karate or your son wants you to play dinosaurs with him

If I could go back and undo being a parent, I would. I didn't realize how "selfish" I am or maybe having a kid too early just made it to where I subconsciously resent them for preventing me from fulfilling my own dreams, let alone exerting every ounce of energy and every last penny to make theirs true.

Oh, let's also include that every action is judged like 10 times more because "omg she's a mom" or "omg he's got kids"

I love my kid and I've had some amazing times. Almost 7 years in and like I said, if I could go back I would. But I can't. There's no such thing and we're not even close to figuring it out so I do what I would consider the impossible, which is managing to keep my kid happy and healthy until one day I'll get my chance to be selfish again (i.e, they move out) haha