[_jss]

I didn't genuinely enjoy parenting until my kids were all above 6, and it was gradual. My kids are 16 and 14 now, and at the start of their summer break I left a job I really liked to spend as much time as I could with them. Their problems were more thought provoking and time intensive, navigating tough tradeoffs. I love helping them through these moments, teaching critical thinking, and we still have fun doing things.

When they were younger, I tried to find some longer focal point and figure out what my role and goals were as a parent. I found that, and it helped relieve some of the repetitive stress of parenting young kids.

I don't know the source for the "75% of the time we spent with our kids happens before age 12" but I hope it isn't true. Kids are inexperienced people, and experience cultivates interesting people. I also believe an hour spent with a glassy eyed baby barely counts compared to a thoughtful, focused 15 minute discussion with a teenager.

I hope you find your groove. It took me a while.