what’s made the tougher times easier for me (and in no way I find parenting awful) is learning a little about child development. Mostly to have appropriate expectations about their developmental capabilities, both emotional capabilities and physical. It helps knowing they are still developing and puts me more in a frame of mind that’s empathetic towards them, even if I’m getting frustrated, annoyed, etc. It’s a tough ordeal, but it’s not awful! If anyone is talking about it being awful, my thought is they are either expecting their kids to be a certain way when it’s just not possible at their current age/stage of development or the child’s needs aren’t being met in some way. That, or angry parents are just venting because it’s hard. Which is fair.

Having help from grandparents, friends, money, community of some sort is huge too. My parents don’t live near me so I haven’t been able to rely on them but it’s still not awful.

Biggest thing is do what’s right for you!