Depends on the couple, and the goals they have for themselves. Sometime you may not have the choice, accidents do happen. But hey, once you see that child for the first time, your brain gets mushy and bam, Daddy Mode kicks in.

Time management is key. Once the kid is old enough for daycare or what not, or you trust a sitter or relative to watch them. MAKE TIME YOUR SPOUSE AND YOU, to get some adult time. Drop them off for the night or weekend if you can and leave town, go to a movie/hotel/date, or whatever. That is how you stay sane. Getting some ME time is not abusing your kids, it is for your sanity, so you can come in with a bit less stress. Because children will find your buttons. Or any button that produces loud noises for that matter.

And lastly, if you tell a child something, especially if you are threatening a punishment. By golly if they cross the line, you follow through. I have had to only do this one time in public. I picked her, and we went to the car for a cool down. I read a book for 10 minutes while she worked out her problem, and then we were good to go. All I have to say now is, “do we need to go to the car,” when we are out. All kids get into trouble, that is how we learn. But aside from that, they will bring joy you have never known.

Plus procreation practice is a rehearsal I didn’t mind doing. :0

You just do your best as a parent and know that you’ll make mistakes. All parents do. Like Bea said, they don’t come with a manual. My son’s diaper was the first diaper I had ever changed, so I was clueless at first with mine. But, I learned quickly!

I can list 1,000 reasons why having kids is great, but I’ll just say this. The rewards are in the small moments you spend with them and the first time you hold your baby in your arms you feel a love that you never felt before – so purely unconditional and protective. It’s a beautiful thing.

P.S. Kids are also a great excuse to play with Legos and remote controlled cars. I’m just sayin’

I guess you can tell that I’m not one that really wants kids:)

I don’t know what is it about today’s society, that young couples feel they cannot live normal lives because they have children. While it is true that children take all of our time, they are a decision people make and they may as well face the responsibility without complaining. If couples are not sure about parenthood, they should not embark in such adventure. It may be a simplistic view, but that’s how I see it.

The world has changed a lot. I don’t remember my mother EVER complaining because she couldn’t do things because of us; and I know she sacrificed A LOT, she feels proud about it. I don’t remember other parents saying they couldn’t have fun because of their kids. But I suppose when I was a kid, I wasn’t aware of that kind of conversation.

Sometimes I feel we’re having so much fun, I even think “Why ruin it?” – But parenthood is a very rewarding experience if you know how to do it well. You said it right, children don’t come with a manual. We just have to pray we do things right, but we also have to make them happen right.

and that’s okay. we made the conscience decision to have kids. we wanted kids. and they are some of the coolest people i’ve ever met (yeah, i know — everyone says that. but they like the same things you like. i mean, come on — who doesn’t love a five year old that lectures other children on the difference of botany and physics?).

but sometimes? sometimes? i wish someone had told me what it would REALLY be like. the mundane details, the sleepless night, the fighting to brush teeth. it’s tedious and overwhelming and underwhelming all at the same time.