What's so great about being a parent?

Question

What's so great about being a parent? I know that some would say that we're supposed to reproduce but what's so great? I have nothing at all against children but I think they are over rated. I think people would be happier without children. That's a life long commitment to someone. Why would anyone purposly do that? It's so many other things in life to do other than raise children.

Answer 1

Being a parent has been the most rewarding and most challenging thing I've ever done. The unconditional love you get from this little tiny person touches you like no one or nothing else in the world can. It is absolutely miraculous to watch my children learn new things and develop. I am amazed by them each and every day. They are also very funny!

That said, they can be an emotional and energy drain, drive me up the wall with their whining, and make me want to go hide under my bed for an afternoon. Good for you knowing that kids are not something that you want in your life. You will be much happier than trying to force parenthood on yourself.

That's the great thing about being able to choose whether or not to have children, so that everyone can do what's best for them. Despite all of the difficulties, I wouldn't trade my kids for the world!

Answer 2

It is so great that's why your parenta decide to have you... or unles you didn't have a nice childhood .. But I'm 28 with 2 loving kids and expecting my third and I'm happy about it... I love to see them grow and learn new things every day of my life, I love them so much and I enjoy every moment I spend with them... It doesn't say how old are you but it is obviously that at this moment you feel this way,but what about in 10 or 15 years would you rather be alone or have someone that will always love you that will be waiting for you with a smile after coming from work??!!! This is just my personal opinion but it is your decition to have or not to have kids in the future, that way you will be able to answer your own question !!!!

Answer 3

having children is a personal decision.
If u think they are overrated then dont have them lol

you could also say why get married that is also a life long commitment to someone.

i love children. I like to see the development. I have a close knit family so i dont want a crap load of kids...but just as a person wants a cat a dog or a pet to take care of...

its not too much diff... cept it is somethin of your own that grows develops ...can have thoughts, ideas, interests not of your own, talents, its human life.

and if it wasn't for ur parents ... u wouldn't be here to even ask the question...

by the way i dont have any children

Answer 4

I totally agree with you!!! I have a dog, she is my child. I can't believe someone actually feels the same way i do about this!!! :) i thought i was the only one and maybe i was crazy. Everyone i know has kids. I'm the only one without any, and i'm so happy with that. I never want children, there are too many things i want out of life and kids would get in the way of that. I'm too selfish. I like my time, my space and my life. If I wore a hat it would be off to you!!!!!! Thanks for making me not be the only one to feel this way. :):):) Take Care. U can email me if you ever want to talk :[e-mail]

Answer 5

Just know that some people feel completely different than you and having children is the greatest part of their life. It is all a matter of opinion and personal belief and want. If you don't feel that way about children it will be hard for you to understand but you are not wrong to feeling the way you do.

Personally my children are amazing little people that I love to watch grow and learn. I love the fact that they will carry on a piece of me and have to opportunity to better than I am. The unconditional love they have for me doesn't hurt either :)

Answer 6

If that is how you feel then just don't have any, but personally for me it's the greatest thing I ever did. I love my kids unconditionally and that love is like no other. They rely on me to love them, care for them and give them what is necessary for their survival. Being a parent is about making sacrifices for your children, it is a selfless act and sometimes a thankless job, but I would do it over again in a heartbeat. I couldn't imagine my life without my kids in it. For me having children was the right decision, but that doesn't mean it's right for everyone. If you don't want to have children that is perfectly okay, just don't look down on us parents for choosing otherwise.

Answer 7

Good question...Why do people assume that we're SUPPOSED to reproduce?? Aren't there enough people in the world already?
My ex and I decided a long time ago that we wouldn't have any children, and it's a good thing we didn't.
I love my nephew and niece, but am happy I never had any children.

Answer 8

Well... aside from the point this little thing brings up, about the cost of parenting, i think it does a great job of highlighting the great things about being a parent.

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle income family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition.

But $160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into:

* $8,896.66 a year,
* $741.38 a month, or
* $171.08 a week.
* That's a mere $24.24 a day!
* Just over a dollar an hour.

Still, you might think the best financial advice is don't have children if you want to be "rich". Actually, it is just the opposite. What do you get for your $160,140?

* Naming rights. First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers every night.
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
* A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said
or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140, you never have to grow up. You get to:

* finger-paint,
* carve pumpkins,
* play hide-and-seek,
* catch lightning bugs, and
* never stop believing in Santa Claus.

You have an excuse to:
* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,
* watching Saturday morning cartoons,
* going to Disney movies, and
* wishing on stars.
* You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay or Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for:
* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,
* taking the training wheels off a bike,
* removing a splinter,
* filling a wading pool,
* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat to history to witness the:
* first step,
* first word,
* first bra,
* first date, and
* first time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match.


In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, So . . one day they will like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!!

Answer 9

Those of us who enjoy being parents would not want to persuade some who wouldn't enjoy it to be a parent. I actually enjoy children. There are times when they annoy me, but on the whole I like the time I spend with kids (even other people's kids). I'm also a little darwinian and feel that some genes are not meant to be passes - maybe yours :)

Answer 10

i wouldn't feel that my life is complete without having children, there's just something about continuing the circle of life that makes it all so rewarding. It's the hardest thing you'll ever do and i can understand why people who have no motivation wouldn't want to take on that challange. But giving your love and soul to someone, especaly something as beautiful and simple as a baby, is magical and it can be life fulfulling.