We have two kids under 4, and across our friends one thing that continues to amaze me is how different children are, and therefore the parenthood experience.

One of my girls is the sweetest, calmest, peaceful bundle of hugs. The other is a low-sleep, hyper energetic, demanding chatterbox. She is relentless from 5am and raising her is draining.

I don’t mean “resentful” - we chose this, and to not outsource them to childcare. But some kids are absolutely more work: if your typical day is 12-15 hours of sales, negotiating, customer service, and all-team workshops, if you get little sleep and no weekends or half-days, year after year, you will be tired. I bootstrapped a software business to 7 figures ARR solo, and raising her is more draining. And more rewarding.

I never cease to be amazed at how many people aren't aware that there are difficult children to raise. They seem to think that how you feel about life is determined entirely by how well you Jedi mind trick your attitude into always being positive.

Life is hard for some people! Sorry you have to hear about it in public, but if it's that annoying for you to just hear it, imagine living it!

I know I was like that second child you mention.

Whenever I feel sorry for myself it helps to think about my dad who had to live with me as his first child (and I have more siblings that children : )

> some kids are absolutely more work

no argument on that point!