The best thing about having kids

 

 

The other day someone asked on a Facebook group what the downside of not having kids was.

Some of the responses were hilarious: “I would have to take the trash out myself”. “I’d have no one to grab me snacks from the fridge when I'm busy reading and don't want to get up”.

“I can't tell someone to turn off the lights or get my remote. I thought I could train my dog but he's useless”!

Fair enough. 

But then, this being social media, of course there was no shortage of extreme opinions and people fighting in the comments section.  Some who've chosen to have kids were swearing that those who choose not to would regret not having kids because they’d have no one to take care of them in their old age. “How about all those old people stuck in old people’s homes who have kids that never show up?" the other group shot back.

Well, I don’t know about old age. And the choice to have or not have children is deeply personal. But here are three  reasons to explain what the downside of kids having would be for me:

Kids say the darndest things

If I didn't have my daughter, one of the things I would miss the most is how much she makes me laugh.  She’s my little personal comedian. The other day I asked if she would please take my cup to the kitchen.  There was a little coffee left in there that had gone cold. A short while later I found she had spilled some of that onto the floor. “Did you spill coffee on the floor? "I asked. “No, coffee had a (sic) accident,” she said, with all the seriousness in the world!

Watching them learn and discover is amazing

It is deeply  satisfying to see  the  investments you’ve made in your kids come to life; sending them to pre-school, teaching them politeness even when it seems like they are not paying attention. Watching my little one write out her numbers 1 to 30, write her name in loopy letters and write out the letters of the alphabet (never mind that letters “b” and “d” are often interchanged) fills me with so much pride at how much she has been able to learn.  

When I hear her politely ask the couple sitting next to us at the beach if she can please play with their child, I tell myself that all the times we have sung “please and thank you” along with the Cocomelon characters are paying off!

Unconditional love

Like any other parent and child, my daughter and I have our fights. But, the way her face lights up on the days I pick her up from school or when I get back home is everything. Hearing her ask whether I will be home “When I'm asleep or before I’m asleep?” makes me  realise  that no matter how much I think I have messed up, we are still a team. She does not want to go to bed without me there! 

 When you are having a bad day, this can be all the reassurance you need; knowing you have this little human who thinks the world of you.  

What is the best part of having kids for you?

Written by Martha Songa