When you consider having a family, be prepared for tons of frustrations –  giving up the things you enjoy doing for yourself – keeping one eye opened while you sleep – never getting the laundry done – a sink full of dishes  -maintaining your sanity – not having enough time or money for things you used to take for granted – not having the energy to do those things. Have I convinced you not to have children?

Consider this:  you’ll be raising this helpless individual in a world full of anger, hatred, hopelessness and despair.  Chances are that child will not make it into college unless they are prepared to spend a lifetime paying back their student loans.  Of course, maybe by then the government will be footing the bill.  By that time, society will have degenerated so much that families will be a thing of the past.  Are you convinced yet?

Actually, parenting is a learn as you go process.  No manual will tell you about the feelings you’re experiencing as you mop vomit off the floor or hold a child with a fever.  No one lets you know that your trips to the grocery store will now include more convenience meals and feeling guilty about that.  You will soon learn that your tears come more often and you’re on an emotional roller coaster most of your waking hours.  All the parenting magazines neglect to say how your child will immediately act up, the minute you sit down.  You have to discover on your own that your life is no longer your own. If this sounds like a picnic, don’t forget to expect rain. I am not a pessimist, but I have some experience in the art of parenting. I would never have been chosen as mother of the year, but I do know that kids are a gift from God. They are on loan to us for a lifetime. You will love them even when they aren’t loveable. You will be proud even when they fail. You will lay your life on the line for them, because they are part of you. Having a child is a blessing, even when they’re driving you crazy.

With all that being said, I can highly recommend having a family.  It is one of the most rewarding, challenging, educational, foolish things you will ever do.  By the way, my parents did move a lot when I was young, but I always found them!