Comments on "Why have kids?"

I've been thinking a bit about the ''Why have kids?'' comment, posted by a reader in response to my ''vomit in the hand'' post a few entries ago.

My main response is that it's really the wrong way to look at it: The reader's comment takes the form of taking a relatively minor, negative aspect of a situation, and holding it up as the reason to not engage in that situation -- and ignoring the counter-balancing positives.


Examples:

-When your girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife/partner is sick, you have to help them and bring them soup. So, I don't understand why people get married.

-Why have a dog? I mean, you have to feed it and walk it, and occassionally take it to the vet -- which costs money. What a nuisance.

-Why do pottery/ceramics? It makes your hands dirty. ;)


I'm still new at this ''having kids'' thing. I'm not sure exactly why people have kids, except (probably) for vague, diffuse reasons. And possibly some selfish ones. I personally think reasons like ''carrying on the family name'' are a bit short-sighted -- but that's my opinion.

What I do know is that little kids (two and younger?) haven't learned most of the politeness rules -- like how to ''fake'' liking someone. So when a kid smiles at you, it's not out politeness: she really does like you. (But conversely, it's heartbreaking when a kid doesn't smile at you, or prefers her mommy sometimes.) And when a little kid laughs, it's the sweetest sound in the world. And when a little kid climbs into your arms, nestles her face into the side of your neck, and falls asleep, it's very much a honour.

And walking around carrying a sleeping kid is one of the greatest experiences in the world. At least for the first five or ten minutes: then your back gets sore.


--GG