By Charlie Daily
Photo: Depositphotos.com
Children are a blessing and they bring so much joy to our lives. Seeing your children grow up is an amazing privilege and should not be taken for granted. Starting a family is a serious commitment and should not be taken lightly. If you are still on the fence on whether or not to have children, here are some pros and cons of having a baby.
This post is about pros and cons of having a baby.
Pros of Having A Baby
1.Having A Baby With Someone You Love
Having a baby with the person you love is so amazing. Coming together to create another life is one of the best ways to show your significant other that you love them. When people start a relationship, a topic that must be discussed is whether or not to start a family. Children can strengthen a relationship or marriage, however, it is not the glue that holds it together.
2. You Get to Relive Childhood Moments
Children give you a reason to be a kid again. You get to go to different events, play dress up, and enjoy the simpler aspects of life. Having kids gives you the opportunity to experience all the things of childhood that you couldn’t. Some people have children because they want to be better parents than what they had. This can be therapeutic and can help them overcome traumas from their childhood.
3.Children Can Change Your Perspective on Life
Children can change your perspective on life whether you like it or not. Having kids makes you more responsible and less selfish. When you have a little one depending on you, it makes you want to do better and be a better person. You want to set a great example for them and be that role model that they can be proud of. Having kids will make you do certain things such as furthering your education or getting a better job so you can set a proper precedent. What most people don’t realize is that your children are reflection of yourself. Although children are their own person and other factors can affect their perspective, if your child is troublesome or failing in life, it may have something to do with you.
4.Kids Are Timekeepers
Having children means that most of your days can have some level of unpredictability. Sometimes when people don’t have children and don’t have anything to occupy their time, they tend to lose track of it. Some couples progress through the years and they have no significant milestones to look forward to such as prom, graduation, or weddings. Although it is very possible for a person to live a fulfilling life, having children makes it even better.
5.Your Kids Can Be Your Best Friend
Although you and your kids will be decades apart in age, you might find yourself being best friends with them. When you bond with your children, you are building a friendship that will last a lifetime. During puberty and adolescence, your child may push you away. However, this will not last forever in most cases. You will find that when your child is older, they will want to go shopping, to lunch, or a movie with you.
6.Having Someone to Help You in Old Age
As you get older, you might find it harder to do the simplest things. Children can be beneficial when you are entering old age. They can help you with day to day necessities. However, some parents do not want to be a burden to their children while other take advantage. Nevertheless, having someone to check in on you from time to time is a great benefit to have. What some people need to realize is that children are an investment. You must give them all the love and nourishment they need to thrive. Most of the time you get to cash in on that investment and they will be there for you in old age.
Cons of Having A Baby
1.Babies are Expensive
When you have children and are not financially stable, it can take a tremendous toll on you. If you do not have a steady income, becoming a parent will be very difficult to enjoy. Babies constantly need food, clothes, pampers, and wipes amongst other things. They must go to the doctor every month the first two years of their life which can be expensive if you don’t have insurance. A baby can be financially crippling if you aren’t prepared.
2.Children are Mentally Demanding
Whether you are a mother or a father, children are mentally draining at times. They are little robots who refuse to sleep and only want to partake in activities that are fun. They can become restless, moody, and even mean at times. This can cause you to feel overwhelmed and defeated. If you do not know how to effectively discipline your child, you will find yourself feeling like the kid and them the parent.
3.You Constantly Worry About Them
No matter how old your children get, you will worry about them constantly. When they are small and out of your sight, you will worry if they are okay and if they are being treated fairly. When they are teenagers you worry if all the lessons you taught them will help them make the right decisions and not give in to peer pressure. When they are adults you want them to succeed. When they don’t reach their goals or make the right decisions, you might blame yourself for this and wonder what you could have done differently. No matter if your child grows up and meet expectations or fail, you will find yourself taking some responsibility for it.
4.Pregnancy is Physically Demanding
Being pregnant is physically demanding and you can guarantee that you will have some terrible days during pregnancy. In the beginning there is nausea, fatigue, and soreness of your breast and back. In the second trimester you lose the ability to bend over, touch your toes, and sleep on your back. By the third trimester, you will be so exhausted that you will be begging for it to be over. If you are considered high risk or having medical issues during your pregnancy, it can be worse than a typical pregnancy.
5.Children Can Hinder Your Goals & Flexibility
Children can throw a monkey wrench into your plans. They can limit your flexibility of doing things such as working, traveling, and hanging out with your friends. When you have children, they become the the center of your world. This pushes your goals and ambitions to the back burner. When you have a baby, your focus is to make sure that they are well taken care of. Having children can delay your plans or prevent you from reaching them all together.
Things to Consider Before Having A Baby
Before having children, here are some things you should consider:
- Are you financially stable?
- Are you mentally fit to have children?
- Are you willing to put your goals on hold to raise a child?
- Can you with stand the physical demand of pregnancy?
- Why are you having children? Is it something that you want or are you being pressured?
