In the late 1980s, I was listening to legendary NYC-area talk show host Bob Grant while driving to work. (Grant’s kids were all grown up by then, and in fact his son had called in on election eve from California in 1988 to give a report on how Bush Sr was doing - I think he was a young reporter at the time.)
Anyway, to the point. Grant was musing about life in his own inimitable cranky way, and made the following statement:
“Don’t misunderstand what I am going to say. I love my kids. But if I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t have them.”
30 years and 4 kids later, I have to say that I completely understand this statement. In fact, I would probably agree with it.
Those who have a nice life with kids who grew up well in a loving home with two parents the whole way will check their brains out here because - if I may, I’ll speak directly to those of you in that group: You have absolutely no idea what it is like to be in an alternate reality that is all-too-real to probably half of the people out there.
That alternate reality goes something along the lines of: vindictive spouses get divorces and use the kids as pawns.
Trust me, anyone who has lived any part of THAT reality understands INSTANTLY what Bob Grant meant when he made that statement.