Parents: If you had it to do all over again, would you still have kids? (And tell us why in comments)

For me, every bit of it, good and bad, is a wonderful experience. Ok, the bad may not be at that moment, but over time I look back on it and say, "yeah, we got over that hump" and we learned from it.

Of course, my kids aren't teens yet. So stay tuned. LOL! Nah, it's all so worth it. I would even still have more kids if money/husband/my sanity permitted (hey, never say never!).

I thought somebody got "fixed" Jenny - LOL!

For me, absolutely! No question. It has been the biggest and best adventure of my life -

Ahhhhh, that's right. I have been on the pill for a very long time. My doc says I can stay on it until mid mid 50's. I actually like it quite a bit.

Can there be a "yes, but...." option? I love my kids but if I had to do it over again I would have waited a few years to have them (instead of getting pregnant 6 months after getting married), and I would have had them back to back to back (instead of having my oldest and youngest 5 years apart). And I would have listened more to my elders and myself and thrown out those stupid parenting books that made me feel like I was a bad mom. And I would have stopped to smell the roses a little more.

Um So yes I would but with more wisdom.... If only that was an option in real life. LOL
Sweetpiv
I'm your mother, not your maid!!!!

When I was growing up, I thought I'd NEVER want children. Now I have two, and even though there are moments that are definitely "growing moments" for me, I feel that it has been an amazing adventure. I also love that I've grown more as a person than I ever could have without the help of my children. Their blunt honesty really made me look at the things I do, and re-evaluate. Now, to go read to them...since they are begging!

I love kids. Always have. I always knew I'd have kids. As a child I would put pillows or balloons under my shirt and pretend to be pregnant. I remember doing this as early as four years old. I breastfed my baby dolls. My maternal impulses have always been very strong. DH knew that when he married me, kids would be part of the package, eventually. And I wouldn't have married him if I didn't think he'd be a great father. And he is, as I knew he would be. I just didn't know HOW great, he's the best.

I didn't know how hard it would be. I don't think you can know. And I didn't know that I'd have only one child by the age of 35 (or nearly, will be in four hours).

The curveballs did throw me. Being unable to breastfeed 100% was emotionally devastating even though I "thought" I was prepared for the possibility. I wasn't. Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. That was outta left field and though we've had no flare ups for two years (knocking on wood) it is a constant presence in my life. Thankfully, not so much in DD's as far as I can tell. She hasn't limped in so long, she doesn't remember it.

I've been so lucky. DD is a beautiful child--and I'm talking about on the inside. She has a sweet, sweet spirit, has so much love to give (and does), is so well behaved (usually), and is a continual source of joy and delight. I'm so blessed to have the privilege of raising her.

I'm getting all verklempt, here.

I'd do it again and again and again, in every lifetime.

Anhata
www.familynaturally.com
Your Family's General Store, Naturally

I'm with Anhata at the moment on always been interested in this subject ever since I can rember. Also, interested in all of the other replies to this so far.

Thank you.

Jessica, Hippie Feminist, Trying to Go Organic, No Circ, Vaccinations, Learning, Researching (All these will be used now and in Future as well)