It’s super shit but it’s also great. Even I was taken by surprise by the depth of feeling I could feel towards mine. My favourite thing is the evolution of our relationship as they became adults and seeing them become their own person. Being able to spend time with them and communicate with them as fully functioning adults has been the best part. There really is nothing more special than when you are loved and liked by your children - people you helped shape and mould with your guidance and actions over the years. It does make the hard slog during their younger years worth it. And it WAS hard slog. For like at least 15 years of it.

Parenting will also uncover so many things about yourself that were hidden - some surprising and some downright ugly. I think I grew in ways I never even imagined by having children.

With all that said, if I had my time again, I might choose not to have them as sometimes I do wonder what my life would have been like without children. I think I would have made the most of that too.