'The Voice' Crowns Its Winner
Mitch Kellaway: Father's Day as a Transgender Man
Do Parents Kid Themselves About How Happy They Are to Have Children?
Filed under: In The News
Are parents really that happy to have kids? Credit: Corbis
We all know kids are great. But is it possible that we overcompensate for the fact that they are also incredibly expensive by going overboard saying how wonderful it is to be a parent?
What about you? You love your children. Raising them is not easy. Also, they are expensive. Do you kid yourself about how great it is to have kids, despite the emotional and financial cost?
Join the discussion on Facebook!
Want to get the latest ParentDish news and advice? Sign up for our newsletter!
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Blind Parents' Kids Are More Developed in Certain Areas
A study about the children of blind people has shown that they may have an adaptive advantage over children whose parents can see. Researchers from La Trobe University in Melbourne and the University of London studied five children who had primary caregivers that were blind. When tested, the children frequently scored better on memory and attention tasks compared to children with parents who could see.
-
Parenting - Kids and Discipline Across Cultures
Parenting - Cultural Differences in Disciplining Kids - as part of the news and politics series by GeoBeats.
In Papua New Guinea, there are tribes that inflict cuts on their young as they believe that the experiences will turn them into disciplined men.
While few parents would go to such extremes, most have their bag of tricks to discipline children. We ask; we plead; we threaten; we bribe; we punish, and still – they just won't listen!
From permissive to draconian, with differing cultural
-
Parents Pull Children from Yoga Class
HLN reports parents in San Diego pulled their kids from an elementary school yoga class. They said it was preaching Hinduism. The teachers say there's research that shows the physical and mental exercise of yoga helps with academics. Parents think the grant that pays for the class should go toward other subjects.
-
Parenting: Kids and Diversity
Family coach and motivational speaker Susan Stone Belton gives you tips on how to expose your children to cultural diversity.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
3-04-2011 @ 12:46PM
Michelle said...My kids are the best things that have ever happened to me, no exaggeration. They have changed my priorities, give me a new perspective in life and are a whole lot fun.
Yes, they are also very expensive, and and I won't lie, this is a big stress on our family's finances (I have 4). And people who tell you that you take each child as they come, or that "it all works out", well...I don't buy that. It IS a big struggle. I am a stay home mom my husband makes less than the median income for our state. He previously had a job with great pay and benefits, but he and many of his coworkers got let go due to downsizing. So we have had to sacrifice things many people can't seem to live without: cable tv, going to a movie theater, costly vacations, brand new clothes (hand me downs and thrift shops are now the norm for us), and going out to restaurants. We don't believe in getting state or government assistance unless absolutely necessary. We also are not saving money for our children's college tuitions. First of all, it varies greatly depending on where they will end up going to school, and financial aid is there for a reason. My children have their own bank accounts, saving babysitting money, monetary gifts from grandparents, and allowance.
And it's true we have learned many valuable lessons from this struggling economy, but that doesn't mean I have to like it!!
But that being said, I would still rather have children and a little bit of money, than a lot of money and no children.
Reply
3-05-2011 @ 8:33AM
Sandyone said...Not me. I try not to think of human beings as assets or liabilities and prefer to see the intrinsic value of the person.
Reply
3-06-2011 @ 9:02PM
Mom 2 boys said...Whoever comes up with these ridiculous studies obviously have too much time on their hands. And to the people who aren't truly happy to have children, well let's just hope they only had one. Parenting is not for everyone. For those that absolutely love, adore, and cherish their children, not once do they ever see the negatives of being a parent. Sure there are hard times, just as there is for anything in life like career, marriage, friendships, you name it! Not for one SECOND, literally, have I ever not been overcome with the absolute blessing my children are to me and my life. Sure my kids cost me money, but that's what I knew when I decided to have children. I would choose having my children over money anyday. I was born to be a mother and some people have different callings. It's unfortunate that those kids whose parents see them as a burden have to grow up in that environment.
Reply
3-07-2011 @ 4:25AM
isisreptiles said...I have no doubt that my own mother loved and cherished me, but she was also honest enough to admit to me when I became an adult that while being a parent had its rewards, there were plenty of times that parenthood was a thankless, unpleasant job and that anyone who said otherwise wasn't being honest. Then she told me that I should think long and hard about that before deciding to have children of my own. When I told her that I had made the choice to never have children, she was honest enough to tell me that if she had the choice to make again, she wouldn't have had children either. I will always be grateful for her honesty.
3-06-2011 @ 11:36PM
JM said...Children aren't as expensive as "they" say they are.... IF you are smart about it. Especially when babies and young children, they don't need the fanciest, most expensive things. Most things just get broken or ruined anyway! Buy things second-hand, accept gifts from friends and family, shop sales and clearance, etc. If you breastfeed, there is virtually no extra cost to feed a baby for 6 months. Once the baby is old enough to eat "real" food, you can feed them some regular people food (like mashed potatoes, applesauce, cooked and pureed veggies, etc) and the cost to feed them is less than buying the pre-made baby food. I am pregnant with #5 and after #2, the extra cost per month really doesn't go up much. Once you have the clothes and crib, etc. the only recurring expenses are things like diapers, wipes and formula.
The biggest expense would be housing and transportation, especially if you have more than 2 or 3 kids.
Some people argue that you can't afford to send your kids to college if you have too many children. I know plenty of people with only 1 or 2 kids that can't afford to send them to college either.
Having children is definitely a major life-changing event... and it CAN be expensive, but it doesn't have to be.
Reply
3-07-2011 @ 11:32AM
joe said...I had children late in life with a much younger wife. I had an exciting single and non-children marriage to another wonderful women. I was the consumated playboy. Do I miss it? Yes at times.
But nothing. I mean nothing compares to my experiences with my children. I was a top grappler, now by boy has far surpass me. I open a gym because of him..I dappled in writing now my daughter is a writer and attends NYU. My smallest one is on course with Nascar for something big. I still travel and gamble and get out with my friends, but my children are my life. Without them, I can only imagine.
Reply