Meanwhile, both my daughters are very grateful and successful in life.

It’s wonderful when your sacrifices are appreciated and very heartbreaking when they are not."

Here are some of the most honest responses:

1.

Child holding a trophy on a soccer field with players in the background

“Watching them make decisions that are clearly detrimental to their future and being unable to help them.”

u/UtterlyBored

2.

And during really tight times, going without eating so the kids could eat.

Young child in princess costume is crying

My adult son told me he was resentful and ashamed of our old cars and my appearance growing up.

Meanwhile, both my daughters are very grateful and successful in life.

It’s wonderful when your sacrifices are appreciated and very heartbreaking when they are not."

A boy focused on his handheld game with an adult standing beside him, gesturing as if speaking

“Without a doubt, it was teaching them how to drive.

Next, it was watching them drive away without you for the first time.”

u/TopHat80

4.

Graduate in white cap and gown smiling outdoors with a house in the background

“One thing I found hard was the absolute lack of control.

You take a stab at make plans with friends, and the kids get sick.

u/NefariousnessOk5602

6.

Two people sitting across from each other with their hands folded near wedding rings and documents on a table

“For me, the troublesome mid-teen years.

While some people will find the move to independence the most troublesome, I enjoyed it.

Not because I got my own space back, but because I knew my daughter would do well.”

Young girl smiling with pigtails, wearing a knitted cardigan indoors

I had to find a way to do the opposite without avoiding the responsibility of parenting.

I think it went well, though.

All three of my kids are amazing people living interesting and happy lives.

Two people sitting closely on a bed, looking into a cardboard box with visible affection

They exceeded me in so many ways.

As my kids make their way through life, I’m now their consultant and cheerleader.”

u/gardengirl0

8.

Man feeding a child in a high chair; both are indoors with vintage decor

“Knowing that they’ll get hurt and you won’t be able to protect them from everything.

You don’t know what will hurt them, and you don’t know when it might happen.

But it will, and it’s inevitable.”

Older man in glasses smiling at young girl holding flowers. They stand close, sharing a happy moment

u/candlestick_maker76

10.

“Navigating my divorce from their father, who was addicted to alcohol and emotionally abusive.

There are scars that will never heal, and it breaks my heart.”

Students in a hallway interacting and accessing lockers

“The sheer exhaustion of the infant and toddler years.

u/HazyDavey68

12.

“My first kid is anintrovert, and I suffered so much watching her struggle to have friends.

An adult and child with shaving cream on their faces are laughing together

A mother is only as happy as her most miserable child.

Now, I’m an old grandma, and they are both fine.

But, there is some suffering in watching them suffer with their own children.”

Toddler crouching on a tiled floor with sunlight streaming in, looking to the side

“Making decisions that will ultimately affect their development and future.

So, we focused heavily on speech, ABA, and traveling experiences.

We allowed her to choose team sports and music lessons over additional after-school therapies as a teenager.

Three people in a selfie, two young and one middle-aged, smiling on a city street

u/No_Practice_970

14.

“When they decide they hate you.”

u/Butter_mah_bisqits

16.

“Letting them be independent and do things for themselves.

As parents, we spend those first two years or so doing everything for them.

Next thing you know, they’re graduating from high school and going out on their own.

It happens so fast.”

“Not having any family locally.

I really could’ve used the support, especially when my kind were younger.

I’m currently not liking my almost 14-year-old son going through puberty.

I cherish those moments when I glimpse my son’s ‘normal’ personality.”

u/Robospammm

18.

My brother was three when he got sick and passed; I was one.

Being a kid or a parent is not easy; being a grandparent seems like the best deal.”

“Missing that cute little toddler.

I love my adult kid, but I’ll never see that toddler again.”

u/freebleploof

20.

“I thought society was equal, but nope!

‘Good’ school districts are in expensive areas, so you gotta move and pay.

So the question boils down to: Stay in the cycle of poverty or break your kid out early?

There are privileges made from such decisions, and the people born in them aren’t even aware.”

Children need to be guided and corrected.

Raising children in their best long-term interest takes great discipline for yourself and them.”

u/OldAndOldSchool

22.

Shut the hell up."

“Tempering your own insecurities as a parent.

Mine was an overly excessive focus on them being perfect or great whatever that means.

I corrected myself eventually, but it’s my biggest regret.”

u/itchman

24.

25.Last but not least: “Wow.

What isn’t a challenge?

Guiding the grown-up bodies that believed they were mature and could make appropriate decisions exhausted me.

I did my best, I succeeded, and I failed.”