My 3 veteran insights to cheer up struggling new parents

One time, my wife was chatting with a hairdresser while getting a cut and color.

Our kids were younger then, and the hairdresser was reminiscing about when her own kids were under 10 and how cute they were.

“So would you go back to that time?” my wife asked.

“ABSOLUTELY NOT” the hairdresser responded with a hearty laugh.

Those who haven’t had kids yet might bristle at that kind of real talk, but we veteran parents know the job of early parenthood isn’t what you see presented on TV and in the movies.

You know, rich families living, laughing, and loving every moment of their happy, friction-free lives.

The truth is while being a parent is the most rewarding and personally fulfilling thing I’ve ever done, the shift from “individual adult” to “new parent” can be jarring, stressful, and yes, even a little sad.

You will likely mourn the loss of your identity as both an individual and a couple.

Making matters worse: when you’re knee-deep in diapers, messy feeding sessions, 2 a.m. wake-up calls, temper tantrums, and boring activities, it feels like that most draining stage of parenthood will never end.

Well, as someone who went through it and lived to tell the tale, I’m here to cheer you up.

Here are 3 ways life is going to get a lot more fun and manageable — and a lot sooner than you think.