For parents eyes only...
Posted by RSVP on
I'm not one for holding back on my opinion and I'm not about to start now. I've met a few people recently who've very resolutely told me that they don't ever want to have kids. "I just don't want them, I love my life and don't want to see it interrupted"... fair enough I say, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But I'd just like to speak about my opinion on this for a moment...If I tell you that I don't like the way that flower smells when I am simply looking at a picture... wouldn't you say "How do you know if you've never smelt it"? Well this is how I feel about the question of kids.
I always thought I wanted children at some point in my life but I really had no idea what it would be like... who possibly can?? But now that I have a child... "Wow, it's like this?"... love, pride, pain, tears of joy, gut wrenching heartache, immense happiness and absolutely unconditional love.
When my daughter puts her little arms around me and squeezes tight I never want the moment to end. It's an amazing and warm feeling that's very hard to explain... it makes the day melt. If you're a parent you'll know what I mean.
Don't get my wrong, the love of a partner is also amazing and heart pounding but it's different... not better, not worse... just different. and if you have both... well you have it made.
I'm sure down the track there'll be days when I'll be cursing her... and if she's anything like I was then I'm in for a roller coaster ride... that's fine... in fact I'll take a season ticket thanks!
Having a child is the best thing I have ever done and I'm not about to trade it in over a few hurdles or a little 'interruption' in my life. Of course it is worth pointing out that if I had had a child 20 years ago I may not have been as mentally ready but a life without a child... far worse indeed.
Now, I have to say that my daughter is only young, and I also only have one child. So I am in a very privileged position in that this is only the beginning. I have got at least one whole lifetime of joy and love (and no doubt tears and tantrums!) to go through yet... and hopefully I'll be able to have a few more as well.
So... single we may be for now, but parents we definitely are for life. I look forward to meeting someone to share my life with but if it doesn't happen straight away at least I know I already have the greatest love and I'll never be alone.
Cheers to parents everywhere... this is a great club to be part of!
Ed
This article is the opinion of the author and in no way represents the opinions of RSVP or Fairfax Digital.