I was browsing the web today and came across a rather humorous flow chart that takes you through a series of questions that help answer the question “Should you have kids?” The chart is courtesy of MomLogic which is a wonderfully helpful resource for all sorts of topics pertaining to parenting. And although it’s geared towards the mother, I find there are plenty of pertinent articles for the dad also. The article with the chart can be found here: Should I have kids?
Thanks to MomLogic.com!
I had a good time going through the decision process but I must be honest; if I were to have done this before I had Elizabeth, I would have failed at nearly every turn. What does that mean? Am I not supposed to be a parent? Will I fail at this awesome task? I don’t feel like I will fail. I know it’s supposed to be fun and taken with a grain of salt but I can’t but think, “How do you know if you should have kids? Does anyone ever really know?”
When my wife and I started trying to get pregnant (our version of trying was simply to stop preventing it), it didn’t take long. And even though we thought we were ready, my wife was still too nervous to look at the test sitting helplessly on the bathroom counter by the sink. So, she sent me in to see the results and report back. I walked into the bathroom and saw little “+” sign starring back at me. I could hear a little voice in my head saying “Now what ya gonna do? Are you ready? Time to get serious!” It was the most powerful experience I had ever experienced up to that point. It immediately brought a sense of greater purpose and responsibility than I had ever before felt. All of the questions above that would have lead me to “Don’t have kids!” suddenly changed. I turned and walked out of the bathroom trying desperately to leave my face void of any expression that would give Bess a hint as to the results of the test. I walked across the room, sat beside her on the couch and simply said “I love you.” She immediately knew and screamed for joy. I will never forget those first few moments I realized that I would be responsible for the entirety of another human being’s life. What an awesome feeling. I love you Elizabeth.
To all the parents…how did you know? Where you right? How did you find out?
Love Forever,
Daddy
Thanks again to MomLogic for putting together the Should You Have Kids? chart.
