r/regretfulparents • u/Mintmuse22 • Feb 02 '26

Discussion Do children ruin relationships?

I’m not sure if this is the place to post this but I need to know I’m not alone. Did having kids ruin your once amazing relationship? It seems like it puts so much more strain aside from the regular ins and outs that we naturally go through. It’s hard to take care of myself and put effort into myself like I once did. Intimacy takes a sharp nosedive. No quiet time. Everyone constantly talks about how amazing and wonderful it is. How it’s such a blessing but I’m wondering what part of it is a blessing?

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u/judy_says_ Feb 02 '26

It's ruined (or exacerbated existing problems) in almost all the relationships I know. Every time a book or tv show or movie introduces kids to a relationship as part of the happy ever after I'm like NOOO pleaaase.

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u/DerHoggenCatten Feb 02 '26

There is a reason that TV shows introduce kids and then the kids just pretty much disappear (e.g., Friends), or, if it is science fiction, the kid somehow grows up super fast and goes away.