It’s a tough job being a parent! The hours: 168 hours a week (and that’s only because there aren’t 169 hours or more available in a week). The pay: below minimum wage, way below minimum wage; in fact, you have pay to be a parent (instead of getting paid). Hazards: well, there are too many to list (and we don’t want to scare off the prospective, not-yet parents).
These are some of the reasons that some men who have “fathered” (i.e., given life to) a child and some women who have “mothered” (i.e., given life to) a child choose to not be a “parent.” Of course, there are those who abandon the child and completely disassociate themselves from the child. However, there are some who do not abandon the child but would rather be the child’s “friend” or “game buddy” or “shopping girlfriend” than be the child’s parent.
Being a parent doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with your child, but please be the child’s parent first. If you don’t “parent,” no one else will! Every child needs/deserves a devoted parent!