OK- my wife and I watched a friend's kids for the whole entire weekend; 2 boys, 5 & 2 years old. It made me not only think twice about ever having kids but maybe even protesting kids in general ....my wife is a teacher, so its no big thing to her, but I've never been around kids too much, so my question is for the parents out there, Is it really worth it? It just made me think, These people never have a weekend, they are workin' this kid thing 24-7 And these are (relatively) good kids. So Are the pros greater than the cons?
Pros are definitely better than the cons. It is more work than you ever believe though. I have a 5 year old son and a 2 year old daughter. Sometimes I want to pull my hair out but when I play ball with my son or my daughter comes and climbs up into my lap and loves on me it is the most precious times I can have. They are my world. It is completely different when they are your own. You dont even think twice about it.
I don't have kids but I watch my preacher's kids sometimes and they drive me insane! They're 4 months, 18 months, 3 and 5. Anyway, I like kids as long as I get to go home at the end of the day.
Before I had my daughter (she's 20 months old), I had convinced myself that I was too selfish a person to be a good father to any child. I used to always think of myself and how a child would "crimp" my lifestyle. Boy was I ever wrong about the selfish part...my life has absolutely changed. I haven't slept until 8 AM since my daughter was born...she's an early sleeper and an early riser. I also can't go out of the house without her wanting to hang on my shorts...the fits...the poop...the colds...the poop....the endless hours of Elmo....did I mention the poop? Don't let this (or watching anyone else's kids) scare you. When my wife and I decided to start trying, we thought it would come easy. That was a wrong assumption. It took us quite some time to get pregnant and then when we finally achieved that, we had a rocky 8 months. My daughter kept wanting to show up starting at her 6th month and my wife eventually had to be put on bedrest. So from the get go, we were extremely emotionally wrapped up in the pregnancy, so, when the doctor finally took my wife off of the muscle relaxers that were keeping her from going into labor, we were very ready to see my daughter be born. It was so exciting when that time came around. My wife and I were extremely anxious as to what my daughter would look like. I'm a tall skinny white guy and she's a short Hawaiian girl with the typical Polynesian features....so we were amazed when my daughter had a mix of both of our features. I'll cut to the point...I (like most parents) could ramble on about my child...I too was afraid of kids. I used to hate being in a store and hearing some kid start whining. I would think to myself....please shut your kid up. BUT NOW, I understand. It's not easy, but it is by far the most rewarding and enjoyable (well second most enjoyable) thing you'll ever do. It's always harder to get a feel about having kids based on watching someone else's. It's definitely a life altering event, but it is for the better.
Master is completely right. When they are yours its different. I have 2 kids 10years and 10mos. If I could do it all over again I would in a second. Its alot of work no doubt, but all good things are and its truly worth it for the love you get back. I must say that I have been blessed with 2 very well behaved kids (even the 10 month is pretty good) which makes things much easier. I have some friends with children that dont mind and smart off and I could see where people might see that and think the idea of children isnt so fun though.
Becoming a parent is somewhat akin to entering the Witness Protection Program-- your life will never be the same! Of course, it will be immensely enriched in ways unexpected as well. I have four kids: 19, 17, ~4, and ~2. Lately, my ~4 YO has really turned into a human being. She just seems to get it now. It is so incredible. She is turning philosophical. She goes around introducing herself to people. She puts her things away without being asked. Wonderment!!!
Kids are simply the most enriching thing you could ever do for your life. I have 2 boys. One is 4 years and the other is only 7 months, and they are both incredible. Sure, I don't sleep, I get very little "me" time, and wiping a lot of butts is not all that fun.... But, when they hug you or smile when you come home......MAN !! It makes a house a home..... I love my kids more then I can ever describe. Kids ROCK !! DD
True Story: Bases loaded, your team down by three, bottom of the 5th (6 inning little league game),two outs, and your son is up to bat. The team you are playing is a powerhouse in the district, winning it's previous 3 games by a combined score of 61-3. A hit here would bring your team closer to winning, maybe even score all three runners to tie the game. You have coached your son for 8 years, but nothing this pressure packed has happened before. He runs the count to full, then fouls off a pitch. The next pitch is a wicked curve that fools your son, striking him out. Your only thought in the entire world is to get your son's attention with a huge smile on your face to let him know to shake it off, don't worry, you'll get'em next time. All this while looking into his hurt and downtrodden face, about to cry. That's when you know what being a parent is all about. If you make it thru that, you can make it thru a thousand weekends of kids bickering with each other.
Maybe instead of a huge smile, you should teach your kid how to hit a curveball. I can't wait to have kids!
You might want to edit the spelling of 'whiping'. Some might see it as whipping instead of the supposed wiping.
i could use all the cliches to tell you about being a father...but i'll just say i wouldn't trade it for anything. my relationship with my son is great and i don't even want to imagine my life without him.
3 Kids..........The best thing that ever happen to me is when I became a father. Wouldnt change it for the world.
Never thought I'd have them. Can't live with out them. I have 2. 3 year old girl and a 15 month old boy. I had one of each because I don't like to mow the yard, or do the dishes.
2.3? Do you tell her she's 2.3? "Hey kid, how old are you?" "I'm 2.3" Sorry, I just love that as a concept. Carry on.
