Babies & Children & Motherhood, Oh My!

As I explore the world of my friends in the blog world, I now understand what others have written about people they know being pregnant and having babies. Holly cow! I am finding out about ladies I know having babies who I never even knew were pregnant. And, I must say "CONGRATULATIONS!!!" to all of them.

When it comes to babies, I still don't feel as if I am old enough to be a mother. And, I honestly don't know that I ever will. Obviously, as the number of years that I have been alive will show, I have reached an age where some sort of decision needs to be made. I simply don't have that overwhelming urge to have the responsibility of a child, and my husband weighs much heavier on the side of not having children. But, if we ultimately decide not to have children, I can't help but wonder if we, or more specifically I, will regret it.

Right now, I believe that I would be content to be a wonderful aunt. My Aunt L, who had no children of her own, used to take my cousins and I on fun outings each summer. We would spend a few days with her and go to the wave pool and the lake, take a ferry trip to an island where we would ride bikes and eat pizza, and go to the mall shopping for stickers. Oh, and I can't forget the hot fudge cake at the local Big Boy restaurant. They are great memories. Now, I could do that! See, I love kids. . .when they are not crying, whining, or behaving badly. So, I would love to do fun stuff with them and then give them back.

I just don't know about having one that I am responsible for 24 hours a day. I was a nanny for a summer and loved the girls, but also loved my time away from them each evening. I also see all of the sacrifices that mothers have to make unless they are very wealthy. That said, I am not sure that I am unselfish enough to be a mother. I like the "me time" that I have too much.

I thank God every day for friends who help me see both sides of the coin. I have a couple great friends who have made the decision not to have children and reassure me that if we choose such a course that it is okay. I also have a few friends who try to talk me into wanting children. For now, I will be content to watch others' children if they want a night out or a weekend away. And, I also have the hope that one of the other two ladies in our family will have babies someday and I can be the wonderful Aunt that takes their children on outings and trips.

I still have a few years before it is officially too late, so parents and parents-in-law there is still a faint glimmer of hope for you. Nothing has been carved in stone. But, please understand that there is a possibility that your "grandchildren" from our family may always be the four legged furry type.