The Wildest Parenting Texts of the Week (July 2, 2024)

Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor

Jul 2, 2024 8:00 AM EDT

Do you think being a parent is selfless or selfish? That is one of those questions that I can't quite answer straightforwardly. On one hand, it is incredibly giving to put the well-being of another person above your dreams and desires. On the other hand, people do not have kids because they're morally upstanding. They have kids because their bodies tell them to do so loudly, and often they can't not do it, not to mention the social pressure involved.

I'm not even sure that being selfless should be the ultimate goal for parents. Sure, there is always an element of selflessness in having a baby, but nobody should give up everything for their child. That might be the recipe for resenting your offspring down the line if they don't appreciate your sacrifice. If you think parents should strike a healthy balance, these parenting texts might be just unhinged enough to entertain your well-adjusted self.