Parents Who Regret Having Children Shared Their Anonymous Confessions, And Wow

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“Sometimes I regret having children when the weight of parenting becomes completely inescapable. I have three kids. The constant noise, physical touch, lack of sleep, and emotional demands are completely consuming me and sending my nervous system into fight or flight mode. And while I am in that state, I am expected to parent gently, hold firm boundaries, and raise emotionally healthy, socially responsible humans. Doing that while my nervous system is in full survival mode is entirely overwhelming and impossible. I love my children deeply, and they give my life meaning, but the relentlessness of being needed at all times can push me past my limits.”

“With three children, childcare is financially out of reach, so true breaks are rare, and even short moments away come with stress rather than relief. I do not feel this regret all the time, and it is not about who my children are. When it does surface, it comes from exhaustion, overstimulation, and the reality that there is literally no escaping this.”

—Anonymous, 37, female, Colorado