Having a child is really, really, really, difficult, even painful sometimes.
It seems like in the frum community having lots of children is sacrosanct. Speak to people and even if they have a lot of difficulty with their kids, they are quick to assure you that children are a blessing lest they seem ungrateful.
Couples with no or few children are looked upon sadly as though they must be suffering. An infertile couple is made to seem tragic.
If you are a parent who has complained about your child, have you ever quickly retracted the complaint for fear that G-d may take away your child for complaining?
I have one daughter and at times she can make us pretty miserable. I believe lots of couples may be suffering, having been thrust into parenthood without having even a basic idea of what to expect. They are afraid to voice complaints so they won't be seen as ungrateful to G-d or incompetent parents. This is especially true while in the company of single/infertile friends.
I've taken a look around and noticed couples who had one child right after marriage and then waited a looong time before having another. Is this due to the jarring reality of having children?
The sad reality is it's the child who suffers most from an unprepared parent
It's high time this discussion takes place, in my (humble) opinion, and what better place to start it than DDF?
Your thoughts?