Why parenting is the hardest job ever.

Two words: immediate effect. Two other words: immediate requirements.

Wait... that's actually three words, in two parts, and... and... oh fuck it.

The difference between parenting and everything else is this: every action you take has immediate and irrevocable impact, both great and small. Every thing you say to a child, and how you say it, redirects their life in development in tiny or huge ways, depending...

Combine this with the fact that you cannot delay children's requirements. They will not and cannot wait for a response (as they get older, sure... but my kids are teeny), and so you have to immediately mitigate irritability/tiredness/angry responses as best you can, without having any of the tactics/comforts of distance, delay, or delegation (hey, three Ds!) that are options in nearly all adult interaction.

So it's a tough fucking job. I'm glad I'm realizing this now, vs. later.

Love to all. Even you, whoever discovered the reason why asparagus make your pee smell.