Not enjoying being a parent? You’re not alone. Here’s how to handle this complicated feeling

Key points

• Many parents struggle with parenting at times, and not enjoying it is more common than many people admit. Research suggests roughly 5 to 14 per cent of parents regret having children, while up to 29 per cent sometimes regret parenthood.
• A 2025 survey of 10,000 Australian parents found almost half said tiredness stopped them being the parent they wanted to be. Experts say not enjoying a stage of parenting does not mean a parent loves their child less.
• Persistent exhaustion, emotional distance or low mood may signal burnout, depression or anxiety, and a GP or health professional can help.