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"I Hate Taking My Kid To Restaurants": Parents Are Speaking Up About What They Actually Hate About Parenthood, And They Did Not Hold Back
Sun, July 24, 2022 at 3:06 AM
Love isn't easy, and neither is parenting. Raising children takes a lot of time, money, patience, and sacrifice (of sleep). So it's really strange that there's this weird expectation on parents to find the joy in every single part of parenthood because, like, life in general, it can kind of suck sometimes!
Pop! / Via giphy.comEspecially during an ongoing pandemic and record-high summer temperatures.
I wanted to hear more from those who aren't afraid to be real about the challenges of parenthood, so I asked parents of the BuzzFeed Community, "What is something you feel like you should enjoy doing with your kids, but actually hate?" And well, they had a lot to say:
1."I hate those ridiculous school events for such minor things that don't directly affect my kids, yet I'm supposed to pretend I care about. I don't care that some fourth grade class made a welcome banner for the front of the school — my kid's in second grade, so why do I need to be at the unveiling of that? And don't get me started on 'Open House' night. It's been the bane of my existence for over 20 years. I hated it as a child, I hate it as an adult, but my kids love it...and I love my kids. So, I do it all for them.
"And those dinners at restaurants where a fraction of the proceeds go to the school. ... I'll only go if it directly funds my kids. I don't care about funding the sixth graders' field trip when my kid's in second grade."
—Anonymous, 27
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2."I hate listening to my 7-year-old read. It annoys me when she can't sound out a word without help. It also takes her forever to finish a chapter. There, I finally said it."
—Anonymous, 403."Cooking with small children...sucks. They always want to help, and it's 10 times more messy and 10 times more time-consuming when they 'help.' They need to wash their hands 10 times during the whole thing, because as soon as they've washed their hands, those same hands are up their nose or down their butt-crack again. And they always want to stir, which is a speed competition to them that results in a mess."
—ivocat
Hello Africa / Getty Images
4."Watching movies with my kids is not fun to me. They’re 6 and 4 years old, and proceed to ask 1.5 zillion questions during the movie. It should be a time to wind down and relax, but like most toddlers, they are fidgety and need more water or snacks the moment me or my husband sit down."
—mamatotheprincesses
Blue Planet Studio / Getty Images/iStockphoto
5."I hate going to other kids' birthday parties. Ugh. They're so loud, and watching presents being opened that mean nothing to anyone but the child opening them is dreadful."
—lilanniem"Any birthday parties, especially for 6 years old and under, are a drag. It's expected that parents stick around to supervise, but sitting around a bunch of other bored parents who I don't know is the absolute worst. It's great that the kid is having fun, but it sucks for the parents."
—Anonymous, 30
6."I feel terrible even just typing it, but I hate rocking my kids to sleep. Hear me out — I love the bonding experience, but it is so frickin' HOT. When they do finally fall asleep, you're covered in their drool, sweat, your own sweat, and tears. Not to mention now that they're asleep, you are either stuck or you risk waking them if you move. It's the worst of both worlds, if you ask me."
."It's such a pain going anywhere with them. And I mean anywhere. At stores, it's 'I want this!' and 'Can I have that?!' They take their sweet time walking and looking at everything while I'm just trying to grab some milk and bread and go. And restaurants — they act SO EXCITED to go. Then we get there, and they order the same chicken strip plate they always get, act impatient for it to get to them, take two bites when it arrives, and then act bored and annoyed that everyone else is actually there to eat their meal while they're ready to leave. Same with going outdoors. They act excited until we're actually there. Then, nothing is ever good enough — 'It's too hot,' 'It's too cold,' 'There's too much walking,' and 'I want to go home.' Then later on at home you hear, 'That was fun! I want to do that again.' Even though they complained the entire time!
Bravo / Via giphy.com"And at other people's houses, it's: 'Is that a guitar? I wanna play with it,' 'Is that an Xbox?' I wanna play with it!' 'Can we play hide-and-seek in your house?' and 'Can we have a snack!?'"
—ivocat
8."I love my kids, but I really don't like pretend play. I don't know if it's just me getting older or what, but my lack of imagination and my energy level makes me not enjoy 'playing restaurant' or 'playing puppies,' or whatever my kids want. I still participate, but it's just not fun for me! Now, watching them play pretend is fun for me — I love to see how they use their imaginations."
—tryasimight
"It especially irks me when they want me to play pretend with them, and their sibling is RIGHT THERE — I specifically brought extra children into this world so you would have playmates! Their favorite game to play is 'Daycare,' and I finally had to put a stop to it because that’s basically pretending to take care of kids, and that’s my actual job."
—hillaryf4afff6749
"I’m autistic, and so is my oldest. She never wanted to do pretend play — we would play with blocks, color, solve puzzles, and read books, all things I love doing with them. Unfortunately, my youngest is all about pretend play. Luckily, he’s old enough to play on his own most times, and he’s actually got his sister into pretend play, because I’m only able to handle it for a minute before I have to find something else to do."
—mysa
"My kids are older, and same! I’d be exhausted and sweaty, ready to book a solitary night in a hotel, and my daughter would come over and say, 'Mommy, can we play Sandwich and Hamburger?' Sandwich and Hamburger were two cats we’d 'see' on the side of the road, and we’d have to 'take to them to the vet' and 'bring home,' all with squeaky voices, meows, and drawn-out storylines.
"I loved the concept of it, but it would TAKE ME DOWN."
—merylblintz
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9."Bath time...ugh. I hate it so much! With my twins, my bathroom gets drenched every time. All they do is splash water everywhere, and I have to clean the mess — it is exhausting."
—Anonymous, 34
A24
10."I can barely stand going to the park with my kids. Yes, being outdoors is lovely, but standing around while my kid repeats 'Watch this mommy!' over and over again hurts my soul. It's usually a badly coordinated 'flip' or watching them go down the slide for the umpteenth time, and I have to force yet another smile on my face. Combine that with my intense hatred of sand (it activates my sensory overload) and I want nothing but out!"
—Anonymous, 30
Manu Vega / Getty Images
11."I absolutely hate taking my daughter and her friends places. I try to enjoy it, but I find I dislike her friends so much that it makes me not want to be around my daughter and them."
—Anonymous, 48
CJ Entertainment
12."Going out to restaurants is an extremely different experience after having children. I can’t help but feel like we’re that table with the loud kid disrupting the other diners. I always have to bring separate prepared food since he’s too young to eat off the kid’s menu, and I feel like I don’t even get to enjoy my food anymore since I’m feeding myself and him at the same time. Plus, the inevitable mess kids make is really embarrassing to leave behind."
—mrtylor3
Qi Yang / Getty Images
13."Once mine are older than toddler age and know how to swing themselves, it's on them to because I'm not playing and swinging with them at the park. You see all those other kids? Great, go play with them before I decide we're going back home. I'm probably winning the Grouchiest Mom of the Year Award."
Paramount Pictures / Via giphy.com—ivocat
"We came to the park so you could run around and play, not for you sit on a swing while I push you endlessly on said swings."
—Anonymous, 33
14."Potty training is the worst! I hated it. You have to be patient because they need to learn it, but honestly, as someone with two little kids and a dog, I feel that too much of my day revolves around them going to the bathroom. I wish they would just magically know how to use a toilet, wipe, flush, and wash their hands."
—dellarock
Peter Dazeley / Getty Images
15."I can't stand taking my kids to their therapy appointments, doctor appointments, and so on. The driving is exhausting, not to mention the cost. I'm thankful beyond belief I'm able to do it, but it's tiring me. My oldest kid is missing time with me because I'm gone two to four hours a day taking my other two children to necessary appointments. I could enroll them in pre-school, but they won't get the services they are getting at the children's hospital clinic. I will do this forever if I have to, but deep down, I'm over it after almost four years!"
—toomanykidsnotenoughtime
"I Hate Taking My Kid To Restaurants": Parents Are Speaking Up About What They Actually Hate About Parenthood, And They Did Not Hold Back
"There, I finally said it."View Entire Post ›
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"I Hate Taking My Kid To Restaurants": Parents Are Speaking Up About What They Actually Hate About Parenthood, And They Did Not Hold Back
"There, I finally said it."View Entire Post ›
My son is 3.
Mind you there wasn’t a soul there due to the heat. I said NOPE…I felt bad but I was exhausted and it was not safe.
I wonder if I annoy him, I’m gonna ask. Edit: he said I’m not annoying 
