A DAD who admitted that he and his wife “regretted” having their son has been slammed on Twitter by outraged parents.
Responding to a tweet that asked parents what they’d learnt after having children, Sam McRoberts, an author from Seattle, USA, wrote a brutally honest response.
Prompted to look back on his life before having children, Sam said in the now-deleted tweet: “My wife and I originally wanted 3 kids, had 1 and decided after a few years that 1 was plenty.
“Though I love my son, I now: A. know myself well enough, and B. know the challenges of parenting well enough, to say that having a kid is probably my biggest life regret.
“Wife concurs.”
But horrified social media were quick to step in and criticise the blue-ticked businessman for his “twisted” attitude.
“Why would you put something on a public platform that your child could one day read?” one dad replied.
“You don’t have to love being a parent but you also don’t have to inflict that kind of pain.”
Another added: “This was sickening to read. I can’t imagine anything more painful than one of my students saying their parent regrets having them.
“If he doesn’t want his kid, I know people who would.”
“I feel so bad for this man’s son,” a third concurred. “I have 3 kids and I was told 2 months ago I have 5 years to live – every day is precious with my kids and this upset me.”
But Robert reportedly clapped back in further tweets he later removed, telling parents that “nobody prepares you” for the difficulties that come with raising children.
“I love my kid and he knows he’s loved,” Mr McRoberts responded. “I spend hours with him every day playing, going to parks, watching shows… but all things considered, childless would be simpler.”
But hundreds of Twitter-users were not convinced and slammed the man further.
“If you can post his publicly and give your son a likelihood of hearing you regret his existence, then you don’t actually love your son,” one said.
“This is really sad an twisted,” claimed another. “Even if you feel this way, you shouldn’t broadcast this on the internet where it will forever be and your son can see it. It’s irresponsible and selfish.”
One added: “His kid will always have in the back of his mind that his dad regrets having a child and I can’t imagine how that would feel.”
And another user agreed: “I didn’t care for kids before I had mine, but as a dad of one, I can unequivocally say he’s my entire life and I could not imagine things without him.”
To make matters worse, the author went on to admit his son is ‘fully aware’ of his feelings of regret, but that he ‘understands’.
He apparently told his regretful father: “I know you love me, but having a kid is a lot of work.”
In the wake of the fury, others stepped in to defend Mr McRoberts, who himself challenged others that feel the same as him to speak out and prevent the subject from becoming taboo.
“It’s a completely acceptable truth,” said one person. “If more parents spoke out about their regrets, people on the fence would chose wisely so not to have kids they also ended up regretting.”
“This guy is getting torn to shreds but I bet a lot of parents feel the same in they were being honest,” concluded another. “How dare that man express his true feelings?”
Yesterday, a pregnant woman sparked debate after having her colleague FIRED for stealing her lunch out the office fridge every day.
And this dad raged online after his fiance left their five-year-old son along at home for an HOUR while she popped out to get lunch.
Check out how this auntie revealed she feeds her vegan nephew meat when babysitting – but is scared to come clean to her sister.
