Kids Or No Kids

 An article that came out recently examined the fact that more men stated they wanted children than women. What is surprising about that? Men do not birth children; they want to be fathers. Isn't that a difference? Being a mother is not only birthing the child, but almost always taking most of the responsibility for the infant's personal care. Even with maternity leaves which are never long enough to rear  youngsters with so many early childhood needs, daily child care is exhausting. I had one child after working at a profession for six years and was able to take another six years to spend with my child in our marriage. How times have changed! I loved being a mother because I had the advantage of time.We had a house when mortgages were low enough to afford and could quickly be paid off.  Working for the six years allowed us to carefully consider  rearing a child in all of its aspects. It sounds like a fairy tale because it happens so seldom now. Most mothers with small children (and many mother/fathers) have to leave their little ones with others and go off to work. Frankly, I don't know how they manage being mothers and workers. Some parents are single and have more than one child. When I was at home with my child, I found most of it concerned with housework, child care and a social life along with my husband. It wasn't rushed or stressful because there was time for planning and finding ways of making family life good. And we weren't rich. I can see in lots of ways why women today don't favour having children in their partnerships. If they have a career it's complicated because most careers are not eight hour days but much more. That men "want" children should first show that they will be full participants in the child care, not merely what has to do with putting in money. Kids are  hands-on love by both parents. That is what makes family.