it’s sad but often my first reaction to people with kids is “damn, I wonder what they do for a living to afford that”

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yeah, I think parents are selfless (to varying degrees) and often this makes it possible despite difficult circumstances.

A lot of time you learn the answer is “they don’t afford it”

Founder, designer, & product guy at /basepaint and /eigenlayer

FWIW it doesn't _usually_ feel like personal sacrifice.

I over-fixated on what I was gonna give up starting a family and honestly it doesn't bother me much.

Like, occasionally I'll catch myself thinking "boy I wish I could just [do thing] without worrying about how it [impacts family]" but usually it's just a different kind of joy that replaces the frivolous expenses. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

that’s reassuring! from an outsider’s pov I think there’s a level of personal sacrifice involved. fewer frivolous expenses, trips, etc. to make it work.

Eh it's not that bad tbh. Single income, expensive city, we just don't splurge on much. Life is still good.

just about everything and anything we can

There are sacrifices but you make them willingly rather than grudgingly and you get so much more enrichment to your life as a result.

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Compounded by the American remit of ‘education and healthcare’ but only for those who can afford it

So true, at an age where friends keep smiling a rictus grin which is half joy half panic as they announce the happy news. Sadly I think those who ‘flourish’ suddenly reveal family money behind their lifestyle change, those without wealthy relative tend to fight for a year or two then leave to outside LA. And these are successful + wealthy (by national standards).

When your kids have kids 😭💀

Love'm to death but damn they killin me LOL

We have 6 ages 16, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2….
Expensive to feed them. 🤣

Omg literally me. Like forget the kids, how are y’all affording life + a whole extra person?

😂... It's a great accomplishment right 😂😆

Yeah ! We're 6 daughters of our parents! And i saw my dad's struggle to make us educated!!