This article is aimed at discussing reasons about whether to have kids or not. Though having a kid looks like a natural choice, more and more people consider not having children at some point in time. Some of them actually choose to go child-free. Are you asking yourself: Do I want Kids? In this article, we are going to discuss some solid reasons to have kids.
Do you want kids?
Yes or no?
For many of us, it may be an easy answer.
But if you have landed on this article looking for an answer then it’s a tough call for you. But trust me you are not alone. It is natural for parents to undergo an indecisive phase and self-doubt while planning to have a baby. It is so common that it even finds a place in medical books like the Nelson Text Book of Pediatrics. Though there are several arguments to support either of the decisions, in the end, it is not a decision of the mind. It’s a decision of your heart and your instinct. This article will list some good things about having kids and try and help you make the decision.
1. Kids add meaning to life:
As you go through various phases of your life, you would notice that change is the only constant thing. If life becomes static (even if it is perfect!) it tends to become boring. You have a great spouse, a good job, a nice pet and you got everything that you wished for (well nobody gets everything!); life still gets meaningless and monotonous. Most parents agree that ‘their children are the spice that they need and nobody wants to ‘undo it’ even if they had a time machine. Not just to yours, but kids rejuvenate the life of the whole extended family. Most parents agree that they felt like they found meaning and purpose with their babies. These cute little bundles of joy are an endless fountain of energy and it is fascinating to watch them grow and develop.
2. Give responsibility discipline and direction:
Being free-bird and reckless may not be always the best thing in life. It is a good thing to be tied down with some responsibilities. That gives discipline and direction to your life. Have you ever asked yourself this question if you wanted to live like Shrek your whole life?
Life won’t be easier. You would wish that there were 48 hours in a day. Despite sleepless nights, you would want to wake up early to take care of the little one. Nothing will be in order and your house will be one giant bin box.
But you would not like to trade it for anything else in life! Welcome to parenthood.
3. Helps you develop character and shapes your personality:
Parenting is a challenging task. All the responsibilities of taking care of the needs of your children, thinking about their happiness & wellbeing, and also Shaping their character – all lies in your hand. You will be put to a provider & protector role in a true sense and there is no provision to duck away from your responsibilities. You have to face life head-on. Also, for your children, you are the role model. You have to constantly thrive to be a better person so that your children can learn those virtues by observing you day in and day out. In the process, you learn patience, become a pro at problem-solving, become more compassionate, and overall become a better person (or at least you get the opportunity to!).
4. Love, Bond, and Companionship:
Until you become a parent you would never know how much love your heart could hold and offer. Your bond with your child is a one-of-its-kind exotic emotion that you would experience. The strength of this bond, over several years to come, will allow you to make infinite sacrifices for your little one. You may be scared about losing out on some ‘good things in life due to your children. If you are not a parent yet you won’t understand this, but the strength of this bond will let you make such apparently difficult choices as easy as a cakewalk. You would feel nothing but happy to make those sacrifices.
5. You get a second chance at childhood:
Most of us probably regard our childhood as the most beautiful phase of our lives and wish if we had a way to this lost paradise. You kids are your second ticket to childhood. They force you to be a kid once again in life. A second chance to have fun and go crazy! You get to feel your childhood all over again. It’s an opportunity to take pride in their achievement and feel happy with their happiness.
It is also your second chance at a parent-child relationship. As a kid, if you didn’t have a great relationship with your parents, it should not hold you back. This is your chance to make things right and your kid’s childhood need not be the same as yours. And if you have a great childhood then just go ahead and replicate it- or even make it better.
6. It is more interesting than watching TV:
Many couples are worried that life will get hijacked by your kids and you would be sort of held hostage. You would lose out on so many liberties and privileges that will be replaced by your kids. But trust me, that may be a big factor for you now. But once you have kids you would be more than happy to make those ‘sacrifices’. Say, for example, you may not get to see your favorite TV series program or a movie. The remote may be hijacked by your kid. But you won’t miss it as much as you think you would. After all, raising a kid is so much more fun than watching TV!
7. Best stress buster:
Kids are messy, noisy, and stubborn. Sometimes they are a real headache. But on most days, their smile will take away all your stress and pain. The time you spend with them playing is a ‘forced break’ from your stressful day-to-day routine. And another good thing is that you do not need to be perfect around them – kids are extremely forgiving of your mistakes.
The last word:
As you think of planning your family, you start talking to another mother and pay attention to their conversations more than before. One thing that panics most to-be-parents is the horrifying description of parenthood by new parents and how their life is a roller-coaster ride after their kids. It is really scary! But you never asked them if they would ‘undo’ it if they had a time machine. Their answer will surprise you. They would never undo it or trade it for anything else in life! I could make a longer list of reasons to have kids. Similarly, one can argue and put forward several reasons not to have kids. But only if it were a decision to be rationally taken by your mind. Parenting is the most beautiful thing out there in nature – roses don’t come without thorns. So, I will not waste any more time by making this article any longer. Make a good decision. But remember not to have a baby for the wrong reasons.
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