Some harsh truths

Some harsh truths for those who choose not to have kids:

1. Taking that one extra 5 day vacation more than me each year doesn't come close to the joy of coaching your kid in sports, seeing them open xmas presents, their 'i love yous' each day

2. A dog is not a 'kid' nor is anything like having a kid. Real facts... your dog takes a backseat when the kid comes

3. The "Fun aunt/uncle" doesn't exist. The kids aren't thinking about you 99% of the time, unless you're at my house

4. "I"ll enjoy having more money" --- the wealthiest people you know all have kids. I literally 10x'd my income SINCE kids

5. We've all lived w/o kids i.e. single, childless. We know what it's like. It's not a 'secret society' you're in. We know what that life entails i.e. a lot of TV

6. You can't think of your life now and go "well, a kid in it is a disaster." A kid makes your life better, it drives you. That Pursuit of Happyness w/ Will Smith is exactly that.

7. I never see the childless people in our n'hood. All the n'hood parties, playing out in the yard w/ the kids, spontaneous discussions w/ neighbors... the childless are locked in their houses.

8. Your relationship w/ your spouse does get harder with kids. That's real life. But, when done right, it enriches your relationship. Your favorite moments will be laying in bed w/ your spouse for hours laughing about all the funny things your kids said

9. Making friends is wayyy easier w/ kids. Parties are more fun too. There's more spontaneity meetings too at sports, school, church etc

10. If you've ever built anything in your life you were proud of... 'building' a great child tops it

Read this on Twitter, posting here as it feels real and important. Original post here: https://x.com/JoeCassandra/status/2001092806933393637