How do you know when you are ready to have a child?

[rick43235]

There is no “right” time, believe it or not! You will never regret having kids, that is for sure.

Although it’s been many years ago, I remember reading a poll conducted by advice columnist Ann Landers. She asked her readers who were parents the question, “If you could do it over, would you have children again?” A depressing 70 percent replied in the negative. Now, I’m sure this came nowhere near meeting the requirements of a scientific poll. Still, it’s an interesting result, and it causes me to question the assumption that “you will never regret having kids.” Clearly, some people do have regrets.

 

[Calliso]

Although it’s been many years ago, I remember reading a poll conducted by advice columnist Ann Landers. She asked her readers who were parents the question, “If you could do it over, would you have children again?” A depressing 70 percent replied in the negative. Now, I’m sure this came nowhere near meeting the requirements of a scientific poll. Still, it’s an interesting result, and it causes me to question the assumption that “you will never regret having kids.” Clearly, some people do have regrets.

Yeah also I should note you probably donlt hear alot of of these people speaking up on forums and such because really how many people are going to be comfortable admitting they donlt like being parents? I think the big problem is though I think alot of people think parenting/having kids is going to be something it is not, that it is going to allow them to live through another person and what not…and other reasons and oftne things donlt turn out so great.

 

[maria29]

For us it happened on our honeymoon which we had not planned. We had hoped to wait a couple of years so that i could be a SAHM full time but that wasn’t what God’s plan for us. Because of having a child so early in our marriage and not being able to start saving for it we’ve had huge financial setbacks. It’s also means that if and when we have another (we can’t due to money issues, and I am not talking about providing a trip to disney or the latest clothing) we definitely want to be able to provide the bare essentials.

 

[anna1978]

‘‘How do you know when you are ready to have a child’’

Answer: You don’t!

NOTHING can prepare you for what it is REALLY like having children, how it changes your life, your outlook on life, your expendable income, your home…EVERYTHING! And it is sooooooo worth it:thumbsup:

But…I’ll tell you the scary part: mine are 5 and 3…and we’re still not ‘ready’ They’re wonderful though, and I wouldn’t miss them for the world !

 

[LittleOne1]

Although it’s been many years ago, I remember reading a poll conducted by advice columnist Ann Landers. She asked her readers who were parents the question, “If you could do it over, would you have children again?” A depressing 70 percent replied in the negative. Now, I’m sure this came nowhere near meeting the requirements of a scientific poll. Still, it’s an interesting result, and it causes me to question the assumption that “you will never regret having kids.” Clearly, some people do have regrets.

This is the case because having children today is viewed as a possible option especially if it enhances the parents socially. Think of the new interest in designer babies, or parents who want their kids to be number one at sports or music or best grades ect. There is a growing trend to view children this way and when being a parent becomes hard work and sacrificing the good stuff in life (sports car, nights out at the bar, high end vacations just the two of you, cable tv, ect), people freak out because they have to give up what “makes them happy” (or better known as selfishness). Also, since so many kids are really not raised by parents anymore and are instead learning from older peers, movies, tv, the internet, you have a growing generation with no strong moral foundation.

That being siad, it is sad how are society has become so high end in many things that the cost of raising kids is almost criminal; from colleges these days increasing tuition beyond inflation due to their drive to increase money for research and have huge endowments, the daily living expenses now draining the American Family. This could be a factor in some peoples feelings, but ultimately a family who trusts in God and makes some sacrifices- many on these forums could atest to God being there for them.

So in the end I say its a combo of forces, but God never punishes people with kids and certainly is possible; if you are willing to pick up the cross and follow Christ. Today’s society is afraid of the Cross though.