Choosing to become a parent isn’t for the faint of heart, stats released from U.S. Department of Agriculture for 2008 claim that raising a single child from birth to age 17 will cost from $210,000 – $483,000. Sure kids cost plenty of money, rob you of sleep and cut into your “me” time but there are also many things that they give in return. Here are some of the benefits to having kids that those without children may never experience for themselves.
Avoiding sales calls or otherwise annoying phone calls
Sick of having sales calls when you’re eating dinner, relaxing or just want to be left alone? Sic your kids on them! Just about any time I hear the tell tale long distance ring I either don’t answer it or my kids do, you’d be surprised at how fast you can lose a telemarketer when a young child picks up the phone!
An excuse to act like a kid
Having children allows you to vicariously relive your own childhood through them, for those of us that had pleasant childhoods – this is a good thing. As a parent you often get to assemble the toys at birthdays and Christmas, go to theme parks, read stories or watch movies for kids and forget about your adult responsibilities for a time. Live in the now and just have fun.
Social crutch
Going to a family event or party that you dread because you’d rather be elsewhere? Babysitting (read hanging out with) your kids can give you the perfect excuse to spend less time with Uncle Ned.
Losing the ego
As we become teenagers many of us believe that the world revolves around us. This self-centered outlook can stick around until we suddenly have others that rely on us to provide the necessities of life. Kids can bring the best out of many adults that haven’t learned how to act their age!
Revealing your inner strength
Kids by nature have a way to push their parents beyond their mental and physical limits. Preconceived notions on the amount of sleep you require, how long you can carry a forty pound child and the amount of human excrement you can handle will be shattered. While much of this experience will not necessarily be pleasant, you’ll have grown as an individual and realized an inner strength that you may not have previously given yourself credit for.
Future Security
Before government pensions and retirement planning, kids were the only insurance policy for senior parents. Those without adult children were seriously disadvantaged if they became ill and could no longer work. While nobody wants to become a burden to their child, it is comforting for many parents to know that their children can assist them in their twilight years.
