Pros and Cons of Having Kids

My husband and I have three kids right now. We love them a lot and are grateful that they are a part of our family! To a lot of young married couples, a dog is the new baby. So what are the pros and cons of having kids?

Pros of Having Kids

1. They make us laugh every day!  Today Kevin was explaining to Adalee that the bottom of a tree is called a trunk. A few minutes later, she looked at me and said, "Daddy thinks it is called a trunk, but I really know it is called a foundation." Haha, the thoughts of a 3-year-old.
2. They teach us how to be better people. I sometimes say stupid. Well, Adalee has decided that is not a word that is okay. So if I say it, she will correct me and tell me that I need to be better.
3. They push us to do hard things we wouldn't have done otherwise. I hate spiders! I have to be the bigger person when it comes to bug smashing.
4. They make us think by asking questions that we don't know the answers to. So much to learn and so little time. If you ever feel like you have learned all you can. Try spending a day with a child.
5. They push us to be responsible. Bedtime, how money is spent, and making good choices. You are the parent and need to act like one.
6. It is a lot of fun to watch them experience something for the first time. Swinging in a swing, jumping in leaves, eating ice cream, etc. It was fun this afternoon as we took Carbon to a swimming pool for the first time. His chunky little body kept tumbling into the water, and then he would laugh his head off. It was such a joy to see him having that much fun!
7. Family time is not as dull. When Kevin and I were first married, we would get bored and beg my brother and sister-in-law to let us watch their little girl because we felt like kids just made everything more exciting.
8. You learn more about your emotions as they experience them. Emotions exist especially with kids, from screaming one second to running around laughing the next. As they start experiencing their emotions you can explain what they are feeling. Then the next time you feel a strong emotion it will all start making sense. 
9. You get really good at multitasking. Mom, I am hungry! Mom, I have to go potty! Dad helps me with math. Dad, will you take me to basketball? All at the same time? Yes, that sums it up. Pro, I think so! 
10. You learn to appreciate the small things. I have never sat on a curb and looked at all of the leaves that lay in the gutter! Then I had a toddler. Life is simple and beautiful with kids.
11. You love your parents a lot more and are grateful for what they did for you. Let's stop and think about pregnancy! It is mind-blowing how hard it is. Then you get to life, money, education, supporting children, disciplining your kids, and loving them. Good parents are superheroes! I know I have grown a lot closer to mine since having my own kids.
12. They melt your heart. Hard days when you sit on the floor and cry. They are so sweet with a hug and a kiss to make you feel a lot better.
13. It is part of our purpose in life. What happens when people stop having kids? We don't have to worry about our carbon footprint, oil prices, or minorities. Because humans will be such a minority that they won't exist. Sorry, that is the honest truth! 
14. You get to help them grow up and shape their life. A lot of how a child will become starts with you as a parent! A professional piano player won't happen unless his/her parents put them in lessons. If a child is to do well in school, they need parents' support. You are in control of helping your child reach their dreams!
15. They can help you out and take care of you too. Teaching an 18-month-old to do dishes is a terrible task, but it pays off! Chores become easier as they get older. Many hands make light work. 
16. When you get older, they will make you feel less lonely. I had a lady stand up in one of my church meetings. She couldn't help but cry because when she was younger, she was too busy having fun. She didn't care about kids because they were a "waste of time". Now she is alone and unhappy. It is so sad that this happens. Your children really can become some of your best friends! 

Cons of Having Kids

1. You lose sleep a lot. From day one, our kids didn't sleep. I know that this is the case for most kids. There is a ton of sacrifices you make!
2. One of the parents either stays home or you pay a lot for child care. You can keep working after having a baby! But most or all of your paycheck will go to child care. So if you love working there is a lot to think about.
3. There is not a lot of "you" time. This is an understatement! 
4. Quiet time is rare. From sunrise to sunset, our house is always full of loud laughing, crying, screaming, noise toys, music, running around, and the list could go on forever.
5. Traveling becomes more expensive. Kevin and I have always wanted to go back to Spain, where he had served his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. To make a long story short, this will not be happening for a very long time!
6. Your old hobbies are put on a shelf. I love sports! I thought that I would keep up with soccer, running, yoga, and sand volleyball. NOPE! Haha, kids take a lot of time.
7. You are put out of your comfort zone every day. Comments in public from your two-year-old like, "why is that man naked?" for a shirtless man. Or asking who's feet is in the bathroom stall next to us. Just plan to be in uncomfortable situations all of the time!
8. You can't just live in a Studio apartment. All of a sudden Studio apartment turns into a two-bed, one bath. Then becomes a three bed two bath. Prices just keep rising, as your family keeps growing! 
9. With a baby comes a lot of things. Have you ever wondered what comes with a baby? If you stop and imagine a dump truck. Now fill it with baby everything that is what needs to fit in your home. Babies need a lot!
10. Your house is a lot harder to keep clean. I used to own a professional cleaning company. I love clean homes! With two kids and one baby on the way, it is a little crazy. Our home is cleaned once a week and stays that way for about 4 minutes and 33 seconds. ;)
11. They may not listen to you. Adalee started speaking really early. It was a blessing but a curse at the same time. When she was 20 months old, she could tell me, "Mommy, I am not listening to you!" Ouch! It hit hard!
12. They may not grow up to be who you want them to be as they choose for themselves. Kids do grow up and can choose from that time on what kind of person they will become. This might be really hard for parents to see their pride and joys choose different paths then they thought would be best.

"Our goal is to help the world make decisions with a list of Pros and Cons. We invite all to add to our lists to help others make the most educated decision possible. We are all in this world together to help each other and learn from what others have learned from their lives journey." - Pros and Cons Team

Written By: Sarah