The greatest job, the hardest work

I'm talking about parenting, of course. Kids are remarkable, funny, brilliant, beautiful - but require so much guidance, attention, dedication and sacrifice. This isn't a complaint, nor is this a humble brag - but in talking with other parents today, I saw every single one of them so damn proud of their kids but were just exhausted. It's this weird human quirk that the thing that takes our greatest investment is the thing we cherish the most. Actually, that's true for anything, isn't it - more work, more sacrifice, more reward?

Are parents more tired today than ever? That is a dangerous game, like comparing great players of different generations - impossible to answer and always subjective (everyone wants to think their guy was best, or they struggled the most...gives them a sense of purpose). But maybe? My feeling is that we are more distracted, anxious, and uncertain than in the past 80 years (wartime and Great Depression were definitely more stressful, but without phones and internet were they 24/7 stressed?) so maybe we are the most fatigued parents in generations. Parenting is certainly no easier today despite modern conveniences.

Regardless, it is the greatest job I have ever undertaken. Now, I'm going to bed before they wake up.