Is it normal to not enjoy being a parent?
Yes, you can love your child and still not enjoy being a parent, especially when you’re exhausted or overwhelmed. If the feeling is constant or making it hard to cope, it’s worth getting support.
Parenting can be repetitive, demanding, and a lot less rewarding in the moment than people make it sound. Plenty of parents don’t enjoy every stage—or even much of the day-to-day—and that doesn’t mean you don’t love your child or that you’re a bad parent.
People can feel differently about this: some find the role deeply fulfilling, while others find it mostly hard work, and many swing between the two. If you’ve stopped enjoying anything, feel persistently overwhelmed or resentful, or are struggling to manage, talk with someone you trust or a mental health professional. You don’t have to wait until things are unbearable to ask for help.