My cousin Nicole just had her first child in the past year and is now compiling resources for new parents in light of where her attention has obviously been.
In our family chat, she asked:
When you became a new parent, what blindsided you the most?
I’ll share my answer, which I qualify with both the awareness that having a child is a gamble on many levels and that conception itself is a miracle and should never be taken for granted. What was I blindsided by?
[9:16 AM, 9/16/2026] Kris Abdelmessih: that they were gonna be so awesome
[9:17 AM, 9/16/2026] Kris Abdelmessih: that last one is important when we live in times where people have less kids and talk about it as though it’s a chore (it is) but not the amazing upside
The most transcendent single moment of my life thus far was to hear my son’s voice the day he came into the world. I don’t know if that’s every parent’s experience, but immediately I felt the joy and clarity of purpose. Before that cry, I don’t think I would have said I had no purpose, but the moment revealed that I didn’t believe I did. The speed and intensity of this rush of belief was a novel feeling. Thus, irreparably blindsided.
Share your own answers in the comments and I’ll share them with Nicole. Thank you!
I offered a couple of less serious answers to her question as well.
On that last one, I wrote about that 2 years ago in our minds love to betray us:
When I was at the Sphere with my family over Spring Break, I wouldn’t ride the long, exposed escalators. I took the elevator where I found the rest of the scaredy-cats.
If there’s anything good about having a phobia, it’s empathy for the range of what can go on in people’s minds and bodies.
I’m watching this poor guy thinking, don’t do it man, it’s not worth and all he wants is a glimpse:
1:44 PM · Sep 12, 2026 · 36.9M Views
2.99K Replies · 5.3K Reposts · 131K Likes
The comment section understands, and based on the number of “likes”, many others do too.
Anyway, I blame my kids for my embarrassment when I go to the Sphere to see Metallica with a group of guys next month and have to explain that I’ll meet them at the seats.