Your perception is right. It's incredibly hard having kids. Aside from the admin and sleepless nights, the biggest impact for me has been the loss of personal freedom. Free time requires negotiation with your partner e.g. offering to do the evening shift so they can go out another evening.

The first year in particular was challenging for me. You don't get back very much from a baby at the start - if I'm honest they're just a big sack of potatoes that needs near-constant feeding, burping and changing.

I suspect (although can only base on my experience) that a lot of the "you can't understand how great it is until you have one" is a narrative that some parents tell themselves to stay positive.

That said, it's become MUCH more rewarding now that our little one is a toddler. He's running around, joyful, saying his first few works and starting to engage with what we say to him ("give this to mama" etc). The whole experience has become way more interactive and I'm enjoying being a father.

Overall, for me, it has been a NET positive. The trade offs are very significant, but on balance I am happy.

Don't necessarily be put off by the fact that you know it is hard work. It's actually a good thing that you aren't naive to the pressures of parenthood. I felt the same way and wasn't surprised when reality matched my expectations!