“That’s the difference between a mother and a father. And why Barack and Jon ‘miss’ the kids but Michelle is fine with them being gone. Motherhood is expected to be all-encompassing, while dads are allowed to just enjoy fatherhood,” another user echoed. “It’s something that I find difficult to reconcile, even in this era of dads being more present and hands-on.”

“I just think us women bear the brunt of raising them, and the men have an easier time (generally speaking)- so yea, when the kids leave they feel wildly sad. And us women (ok speaking for myself) feel a freedom. A weight lifted,” one mom agreed. “I love my daughter with all my heart, but I (like Michelle) will never miss the middle and high school years and the insane worrying that came with it.”