Is it normal to sometimes regret having kids?
Yes. You can love your kids and still sometimes regret the life you had before becoming a parent—or wish you hadn’t become a parent at all.
Parenting can be relentless, and it can cost you sleep, freedom, money, and parts of your old identity. In a bad stretch, it’s possible to wish you’d made a different choice. That feeling doesn’t automatically mean you don’t love your kids or that you’re a bad parent.
People often feel ashamed to say this out loud because parenthood is expected to be nothing but rewarding. But complicated feelings are part of being human, and plenty of parents have them, even if they keep them private. You don’t have to turn a passing thought into a verdict on your whole family.
If the regret feels constant or overwhelming, or you’re worried you might hurt yourself or your kids, tell someone you trust and reach out for support. You deserve help, not judgment.