s/o Childless by choice - Pros of having kids?

mrsmiller080407

I want to strongly ditto Kirkette on the "this isn't as hard as they make it out to be" point.

I had a really rough pregnancy and delivery with J, but honestly, it's been roses since then.  He's a sweet, kind, loving, easy baby who has slept fairly well since the beginning.  He travels with us, does well with babysitters, and just generally is easy going.  

I have often said that I knew I would love being a mom, but I had no idea it would be as much fun as it is.  H and I have really made it a priority to allow for each of us to have our me time, to spend alone and with friends.  

I'm struck by how often someone will ask to take him for a day so I can "have a break" and how seldom I feel like I want a break.  I miss him when he isn't around.  

H and I have also had many of the "wow! we made this!" moments, which are spectacular and warm my heart in ways I can't explain.  Our communication and team work have improved greatly since his arrival.  

He's my greatest joy and has fit very nicely into our lives. 

Willisaurus

DS brings me so much joy.  The intensity of it is something I never felt before he was born, except for maybe Christmas morning as a kid.  It's that kind of joy, multiple times a day.

A lot of times when I'm sitting on a bench at the playground, enjoying gorgeous weather, reading a book, and watching my adorable kid climb around, I think "It's Wednesday morning.  This is my life.  This is what I get to do every day.  I am the luckiest person on earth."

My love for DH is bigger and deeper than I ever imagined it could be.  We're a family now.

WinesNot Whines

I feel like being a parent gives my life a purpose that it didn't have before. I have a good career, but it doesn't fulfill me the way that my family does. It's awesome to see this little person, who I created, grow and develop a personality.

I also agree with pp who said having one kid doesn't prevent you from doing things like traveling or keeping up with your hobbies and interests.

CCRMSS

hugs and kisses, artwork, watching your child learn and grow and discover new things and being the one to teach/show them those new things.

helps you learn to be more selfless

Tax deductions

someone to love you, care for you, and help you as you get older

extra help around the house (though i think kids make way more of a mess than they help clean up, lol- maybe this improves as they get older?)

let you be a kid again- can do the kiddie stuff/vacations that you wouldn't normally do without going with a child, but that is tons of fun (bounce houses, Disney, zoo, etc).  And simply seeing these things new again, through a child's eyes.

notquiteblushing

I want an excuse to go see kids shows on ice and go to the circus.  Also I want to play dress up.  I guess I can do all that without kids but it's less strange if you have them. 

mrs. remy

It's really nothing that hasn't been said, but it is incredible to see this little mix of DH and I become his own person and develop interests and start to talk. Also, I never had any idea kids were this funny. He cracks us up-as in tears rolling down our faces-on a regular basis. I was also pleasantly surprised to see having a child does not necessarily have to be as expensive as people make it out to be. Craigslist, freecycle, and the consignment shop come in very handy. Our lives were not completely disrupted....DH and I both love to sleep, and travel, and while its a little rough for a couple years it won't always be like that.