I havent had children yet, but I do think about them. If I were to be straightforward and honest with my future kids, I wouldnt lie to them. I wouldnt tell them I cant wait for the sleepless nights and Im thrilled for all the messes.
Instead, I would tell them something they really need to know. And theyll need to know it more than once in their life.
I'd tell them my confession: Im scared.
Yes; Ive had big fears about having children, and you may have them too. Ive never been a mother (Im not even a wife yet). But when I get worried, I try to think of these four things about my future children that help take the fear away:
Children make you happier
Any parent will tell you that this is true. Yes, kids can be messy, loud and annoying at times, but children will increase your happiness. Youll be able to share in their joy, comfort them when theyre sad, and be a hero in their eyes. Youll find yourself bragging about them on accident and thinking about them when your mind wanders.
Children make you work hard
Maybe youre a pro at full-time office work, but having children will make you work in an entirely new way. Youll become a teacher, cheerleader, chauffeur, chef, conflict mediator, and full-time snuggler. You will clean up messes that will appear five minutes later. Youll be up late into the night and you will work harder than you ever have before. And that hard work will pay off immensely.
Children make you laugh
Youll be able to have a comedian around 24 hours of the day. Youll constantly want to write down the hilarious things your child says or does. And youll find yourself repeating the things your child said to your spouse at the end of the day.
Children will have yours and your spouses features
If your daughter has your eyes, or your son has his smile, then you lucked out. When you can see yourself or your spouse in your child, youll better remember how happy you are to have children. And the compliments from others will definitely help. As they grow, youll be able to compare younger photos of yourself to your child. Maybe your child even looks like your parents when they were that age!
Maybe you're like me and you haven't had kids yet, or you're just starting out. Every day is something new, and every day is your chance to either live in fear or in happiness. Some days will be naturally difficult, and there may be nothing you can do. But when you see your son or daughter softly falling asleep and you remember the blessing your children are in your life, you'll be able to face the next day with a bigger smile.
Instead, I would tell them something they really need to know. And theyll need to know it more than once in their life.
I'd tell them my confession: Im scared.
Yes; Ive had big fears about having children, and you may have them too. Ive never been a mother (Im not even a wife yet). But when I get worried, I try to think of these four things about my future children that help take the fear away:
Children make you happier
Any parent will tell you that this is true. Yes, kids can be messy, loud and annoying at times, but children will increase your happiness. Youll be able to share in their joy, comfort them when theyre sad, and be a hero in their eyes. Youll find yourself bragging about them on accident and thinking about them when your mind wanders.
Children make you work hard
Maybe youre a pro at full-time office work, but having children will make you work in an entirely new way. Youll become a teacher, cheerleader, chauffeur, chef, conflict mediator, and full-time snuggler. You will clean up messes that will appear five minutes later. Youll be up late into the night and you will work harder than you ever have before. And that hard work will pay off immensely.
Children make you laugh
Youll be able to have a comedian around 24 hours of the day. Youll constantly want to write down the hilarious things your child says or does. And youll find yourself repeating the things your child said to your spouse at the end of the day.
Children will have yours and your spouses features
If your daughter has your eyes, or your son has his smile, then you lucked out. When you can see yourself or your spouse in your child, youll better remember how happy you are to have children. And the compliments from others will definitely help. As they grow, youll be able to compare younger photos of yourself to your child. Maybe your child even looks like your parents when they were that age!
Maybe you're like me and you haven't had kids yet, or you're just starting out. Every day is something new, and every day is your chance to either live in fear or in happiness. Some days will be naturally difficult, and there may be nothing you can do. But when you see your son or daughter softly falling asleep and you remember the blessing your children are in your life, you'll be able to face the next day with a bigger smile.
