This is such a cliche that it almost meaningless but the JOY of a child is just insane. To have some around who is almost always happy to see you (and super pissed when you go away), initially at least, is just wonderful to be around.

To me at least parenting is one of the most complete human experiences. It's joyous and terrifying, exciting and mundane, just all of the things at once.

It's not for everyone sure but one thing I would say is that it's much easier to describe how hard it is, than it is to describe how amazing it is.

Everyone understand that having to wipe someone else's ass for years isn't fun (tho it's not actually that bad) but it's difficult to put into words just how much joy there is.

Also, first kid was a breeze to take care of and we weren’t sleepy because we coslept. If you don’t drink or do drugs (which is what causes kids to get smothered) I highly recommend. Mom was amazed baby would sleep through the night and not fuss or ask for milk, and I said “honey she made noise several times you’d just roll over naturally and pop a boob in her mouth”. Our second one is physically disabled in some pretty profound ways (which I’ve talked about at length in other comments on HN so won’t go into here) so she’s way more of a pain, but I highly recommend cosleeping to anyone who will listen (which honestly isn’t most people).

It really is, and you just cannot understand it until you become a parent yourself. I used to roll my eyes when friends said that, but it's true.

This'll probably sound really cheesy, but sometimes I look at my kids and it feels like my heart will burst with the love I feel for them.

I wouldn't say it's impossible to understand. Imagine having a dog or other pet that you love ridiculously. Then one day the pet starts talking, reading, doing math homework instead of chewing your shoes as often.

It's a wild ride.

A talking cat sounds cool though :)

When my kid started trying to stand up, they were SO excited about it. I mean they would try and stand up, stand for about 2 secs, be wildly excited, fall over and go through the whole thing again. That sort of joy and happiness is just infectious and so much fun to be around.

I also had the most fun in a game of Sorry ever yesterday with my wife and two girls. Hearing your three year old make a smarmy “sorry” voice and laughing as she knocks her sister back to the start is comedy gold.

My life prior to our child seems incredibly stupid by comparison.

- Keep trying until they have a male (I have a friend with 5 girls so far). - Trying to "strengthen" a troubled relationship. - Planning to use them as a pension. - Vicariously living the things they couldn't achieve themselves. - and a long, long etc.

Even if almost anyone can reproduce, raising kids is not for everyone.