Having Kids

Do I want kids? This is a question often considered by everyone at some point in their lives. Today I would like to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of having children. Please keep in mind that I do not have kids myself and that this is based solely on what I have noticed through the world around me.

Advantages

Entertaining-Whether they are misbehaving or doing something sweet, I guarantee that you will never have a dull moment with your children. Unless of course they are sleeping. Sure they could be drawing with markers on your wall but I guarantee you won’t be bored. And even if they are drawing on your wall with markers, it’s an entertaining story to tell your friends. Having kids gives you so many memories and experiences that you wouldn’t have had on your own.

All Grown Up-From their first day of school, to their first soccer game, your child will experience a lot of firsts in their lifetime. And if you are lucky enough, you will get to be there to see all or most of these firsts. There is an excitement in seeing a kid go to their first amusement park, zoo, etc.

And nowadays with social media, it is easy for parents to capture these firsts on video or with a picture. Where as 20 years ago, these moments may not have been been captured to hold on to. You would only remember things in your memories.

Like you-When you have kids, it’s cool to see what personality traits they get. Some will be similar to you and some similar to your partner. Your kids will most likely act in ways that remind you of yourself at their age. This helps you acknowledge what your parents went through when you were a kid. This may lead to an apology to your parents for the way you acted when you were younger.

Advantage/Disadvantage

Going Places-Having kids gives you an excuse to go to places such as Chuckie Cheese, the zoo, an aquarium or Sesame Place. Depending on if you like these types of places, this can be a positive for you. But if you hate those types of places, this is definitely a disadvantage. I personally love to go to zoos and aquariums but I often feel strange because it is mostly families with younger children that go there.

Disadvantages

About the Children-Once you have kids, things are no longer about you and your partner. Things are now focused around the kids. Your kids needs will often come before your own. There are no sick days for parents. Your kids will need you every single day no matter how you are feeling. You will have to adjust to putting someone else’s needs before your own.

Busy-Sometimes I think that my life is very busy and that it is difficult to make time for everything on a daily basis. But then, I think about people who have kids and wonder how they have time for anything. Because when you have kids, you will always be busy. Whether it’s taking the kids to school, helping them with homework, taking them to after school activities or making meals for them, you will always be running around.

Sacrifices-Once you have children, you have to be ready to sacrifice activities that you used to do. Outings such as going to the club/bar or even just going out with just adults, will have to be planned far in advance. If you get a babysitter, you can go out without the kids every once in a while, but definitely not every weekend. You will have to get used to spending the majority of your time with your kids rather than with your friends.

Everyone has different viewpoints when it comes to having kids. Some people don’t want to bring kids into the world in its current state. Some people spend their whole lives wanting kids. People that have kids, have different ways that they believe that they should raise them. I personally don’t want kids in the future but I can understand how/why people want/have them.

Feel free to comment your thoughts about having children. Or if you already have children, feel free to comment on how that has impacted your life as a whole. Please also let me know if there are any advantages or disadvantages that I may have missed.

Thanks for reading!