Is it normal to dislike being a parent?
Yes. You can dislike the demands and daily reality of parenting while still loving your child; having mixed feelings doesn’t make you a bad parent.
Parenting can be exhausting, repetitive, lonely, and nothing like you pictured. Lots of parents dislike parts of it—or sometimes feel they dislike the whole role, especially when they’re overwhelmed or short on support. That doesn’t automatically mean you don’t love your child or that you’re failing.
People feel differently about admitting it: some find it a relief to hear, while others may judge because parenthood is expected to be endlessly fulfilling. If the feeling is constant, getting heavier, or making it hard to cope or care for yourself, you deserve support from someone you trust or a professional—not a lecture.