Parenting Shouldn't Feel Like an 18-Year Prison Sentence – And That's Why Birth Rates Are Dropping

I'm glad I reared my children before parenting forums on the internet were a thing. Maybe they were a bit of a thing with my youngest, but I just didn't care enough about the thoughts of others to pay attention. I knew I was doing a good job keeping my children alive, well educated, occasionally entertained and throwing in a few family vacations for good measure. Now, young mothers have criticism coming from all sides. It has to be exhausting.

My super strong parenting opinion is that while the kids are awake, you come last.

No spending all of Saturday golfing. That’s family time. 6 am tee time only, maybe.

Wanna go to the gym? Go after the kids go to bed, or wake up at 5.

In a few short years, they’ll be out of…
— Laura Hudson 🇨🇦 (@latterdaylaura) March 22, 2026

To be sure, once you become a parent, their needs have to come first. There are many things you have to give up and pleasures you have to forego to benefit your child. It's fine to go to the gym though. Your child will survive (as long as you leave them in capable hands).

For example

I wake up at 6 every morning to wake or run on my treadmill

I go to the gym at like 9 pm twice a week, 7 am on Saturdays because that’s when it opens.

My husband plays hockey once or twice a week. His ice times are 10:15pm and 10:45pm
— Laura Hudson 🇨🇦 (@latterdaylaura) March 22, 2026

Total props to Laura for her very detailed schedule but getting up at 5 am would have made me a horrible Mom. They would prefer a fat Mom, honestly. I'm no good without sleep.

My controversial opinion is a main cause of declining birth rates is the social norm that parents must suffer like prisoners with an 18 year hard labor sentence or else be viewed by society as guilty of neglect and child abuse.

Your grandparents didn't live like this. https://t.co/bN1Z1a06lt
— Frylock (@Blueelectron4) March 22, 2026

This, however, is a great take. Raising children can be lots of fun. It was the joy of my life. One can even exercise with your kids by running around at the park or plopping them in a stroller and pushing them around. They'll pitch a fit to get out of the stroller about halfway through, but then you can fight a tantrum for miles and that burns a lot of calories, too.

it is very good for your kids to see you have hobbies and interests. you should read books, and go to concerts, and go out with your friends, and travel, and paint, and play sports, and enjoy life as a person and not just a parent. your child is watching you and learning from you… https://t.co/DFeRos5wUC
— swamp hag ✨❄️⛄️☕️ (@potatoslav) March 22, 2026

Everything in moderation. It's great to be a person and have be a caring parent, actually.

My super strong parenting opinion is that this kind of thinking keeps people from having kids and destroys the marriages of many people who do.

Your marriage matters; you matter, and reminding yourself of these facts ultimately makes your family a happier place for everyone...… https://t.co/IetCfSFSad
— Kat Timpf (@KatTimpf) March 23, 2026

Absolutely, a marriage has to be the priority. That is the best thing any parent can do for their children. Kids need to see parents love each other the most.

The marriage is the support system, so that comes first. Parents can take turns giving each other me time (which is important). Having kids means there's less of that, but you get we time with the kids, right? And that's sweet as well.

p.s Must learn to separate "urgent"…
— mileytheduchess (@mileytheduchess) March 23, 2026

There's a balance. If you are a person who cares about the balance, you're probably doing a good job.