Post by globetrotter on Jan 12, 2007 22:50:38 GMT 7
Is it worth it? Absolutely, it's worth it. Admittedly, I leave the finances to hubby, but I think he'd say the same.
I never wanted kids; I always thought they were bratty, whiney, smelly nuisances that inconsiderate people had; and who wanted to have to put up with their crying and change their nappies after having to carry them around for almost a year inside, and then undergo (horror of horrors) labour ... Besides, I was being socially responsible in an overpopulated world.
But as a general rule, I don't seem to be able to stick to my principles (I should be a politician), and I spent some time with my cousins, one who has two cute, fun kids, and one who, at the time, was going through a really tough pregnancy, but making it look like a breeze, and I thought it wasn't so bad, I could do it. So we decided to let nature take its course, and see if we'd have kids or not ... we now have a wonderful little boy.
Pregnancy, labour - not the nightmare that TV portrays them as. Sleepless nights (a big issue for me, since I'm a bit of a slug-a-bed) we were lucky enough that he slept through the night by 4 months. Yucky nappies - to start with, they're not too bad, and by the time they are - well, you're used to the routine by then. Crying, whining - depends partly on how you bring them up, but we're lucky to have a happy baby, with a wicked sense of humour (genetics there) (my side, of course). All the cliches about boundless love - absolutely true, but don't do justice to the actuality.
Hubby used to travel a lot on work, and has cut back a little. I used to travel with him, occassionaly; now we take our son along (plus a suitcase-worth of paraphanalia and extra hand luggage), nights out are few and far between, but I don't miss them much. I've missed a few films in cinemas, but they'll be on cable soon enough. When hubby is away, I don't have to kick around an empty apartment by myself. My days are full, and not centred on me. My circle of friends has widened, in doing things with / for my son. etc etc - all good things, or at least, not bad things.
It is so amazing to see how this little scrap of a being who, a few months ago, could be contained in his father's two hands, has developed into such a vivid personality. And words can't convey the pride when this little person leaves me to go to school without a backwards glance, when a few weeks ago he wouldn't let me out of his sight. He annoys me, exasperates me, makes demands of me - but I have no regrets. He comes up with the silliest expressions, the oddest imaginary friends, the most adorable hugs and kisses, he laughs in his sleep, .... the list goes on and on, but I think it ends with : he loves me. No regrets.
Except - we left it quite late, which put me on the borderline for possible Down's syndrome. Now the place is empty again, maybe another one ...?
If you don't want kids, or you know you'd be a horrendously bad parent, you shouldn't be pressured into it. But if you're not sure, and you're down to weighing pros and cons, then kids are a good thing. IMHO.
I never wanted kids; I always thought they were bratty, whiney, smelly nuisances that inconsiderate people had; and who wanted to have to put up with their crying and change their nappies after having to carry them around for almost a year inside, and then undergo (horror of horrors) labour ... Besides, I was being socially responsible in an overpopulated world.
But as a general rule, I don't seem to be able to stick to my principles (I should be a politician), and I spent some time with my cousins, one who has two cute, fun kids, and one who, at the time, was going through a really tough pregnancy, but making it look like a breeze, and I thought it wasn't so bad, I could do it. So we decided to let nature take its course, and see if we'd have kids or not ... we now have a wonderful little boy.
Pregnancy, labour - not the nightmare that TV portrays them as. Sleepless nights (a big issue for me, since I'm a bit of a slug-a-bed) we were lucky enough that he slept through the night by 4 months. Yucky nappies - to start with, they're not too bad, and by the time they are - well, you're used to the routine by then. Crying, whining - depends partly on how you bring them up, but we're lucky to have a happy baby, with a wicked sense of humour (genetics there) (my side, of course). All the cliches about boundless love - absolutely true, but don't do justice to the actuality.
Hubby used to travel a lot on work, and has cut back a little. I used to travel with him, occassionaly; now we take our son along (plus a suitcase-worth of paraphanalia and extra hand luggage), nights out are few and far between, but I don't miss them much. I've missed a few films in cinemas, but they'll be on cable soon enough. When hubby is away, I don't have to kick around an empty apartment by myself. My days are full, and not centred on me. My circle of friends has widened, in doing things with / for my son. etc etc - all good things, or at least, not bad things.
It is so amazing to see how this little scrap of a being who, a few months ago, could be contained in his father's two hands, has developed into such a vivid personality. And words can't convey the pride when this little person leaves me to go to school without a backwards glance, when a few weeks ago he wouldn't let me out of his sight. He annoys me, exasperates me, makes demands of me - but I have no regrets. He comes up with the silliest expressions, the oddest imaginary friends, the most adorable hugs and kisses, he laughs in his sleep, .... the list goes on and on, but I think it ends with : he loves me. No regrets.
Except - we left it quite late, which put me on the borderline for possible Down's syndrome. Now the place is empty again, maybe another one ...?
If you don't want kids, or you know you'd be a horrendously bad parent, you shouldn't be pressured into it. But if you're not sure, and you're down to weighing pros and cons, then kids are a good thing. IMHO.