Blog 2 Children: To have or not to have

For my blog, I have chosen to write about my opinion of having children.  While I don’t have now, these are my thoughts and opinions of the possible experiences and outcomes of having and raising kids.  

Instill Unselfishness and Responsibility

Because such a huge change is brought about with having children, I think that it gives an opportunity for one to learn to be unselfish. Being a parent is a twenty-four hour job that makes you have a sense of responsibility for another person.  Because you are accountable, not only for yourself, but another human being this may make you think about everything that you do and the choices that you make. This requires that you put the needs of your child before your own, yet it is when doing this that one realizes how much joy can come from caring for another.

Life Enrichment

Children can enrich your life. They approach the world with such wonder and this allows you to experience some of that wonder, relive experiences, and create new ones.  They approach life with such excitement, which is quite contagious.  Although some may think of the loss of freedom that parenthood brings, they most ultimately find that being a parent gives them a richer and fuller life.

Influence Self Care

Parents are more likely to take care of themselves health wise, because they realize that they are responsible for the care of another individual.  Raising kids forces parents to look beyond themselves, which is good for their mental well-being. So becoming a parent can help improve one's health and influences you to be more balanced and involved.

Effect Self Esteem

Having children can also increase your self-esteem. There is nothing quite like having your child look up at you and say, "You're the best mom in the whole world," or "Daddy, I want to be just like you when I grow up.  Having children means experiencing more love in your life. It also adds people to your world that love you. 

Learning Experience

 I believe raising children can offer a huge learning experience that brings a new perspective of life that each of us once had.  But also, they can bring us back to reality about the things in life that really matter the most.  

Future Investment

And lastly, children can turn out to be an investment for your future.  When you grow old, you just may have someone that will take care of you, or have grandchildren with which to spoil and spend your time with. 

Of course there are many good and practical reasons for not having children, so I don't  just see the decision as one-sided, but these are just a few of the reasons that influence my choice for having kids.  

Pictures retrieved from: suite101.com,  masseyservices.com

Women's Health Concerns

   

  The Health issue that I am most concerned about is cervical and breast cancer.  This is because it seems to be so prevalent and most of the time there aren’t really any major symptoms.   I am also concerned because of my lifestyle, such as the foods that I eat.  I do not always maintain a healthy diet.  I believe that eating processed and ‘fast foods’ may contribute to being more susceptible to cancer and other diseases. 

  Another reason I am concerned is that it has been a while since I had a check up and this is really the only way to know for sure how healthy you are.  I do plan to have a doctor’s visit soon and I will then hopefully have peace of mind. 

  When I asked Patti Powell, 53 of Oklahoma about the health issue she was most concerned about, she told me that it was definitely arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis more specifically.  She expressed to me how it is starting to effect her in a way that is somewhat debilitating.  She is concerned about how it will progress and what steps she can take to decrease its presence.

  Natalia Schumacher, 26 is most focused on weight gain; more specifically having to do with obesity.  While not a problem of her own, she sees how it can be a health risk in many ways.  She has witnessed how diabetes, heart problems, and high blood pressure, and even depression can all branch out from obesity.  Because of this she practices a healthy diet and exercise whenever she can to help lower her risk. 

Jerry Bernet, 79 of Dallas is particularly concerned with arthritis as was Patti Powell.  It is of concern with her because it affects her walking ability.  Her arthritis remains mostly in her hands and knees, thus her knees also affect her back, which causes further mobile issues. 

  In relation to the others’ concerns, they all differ with the exception of the arthritis issues.  They are similar to mine in that our overall health concerns have to do with our own bodies and common issues that are heard about everyday.  This may be due to the education and awareness that is available through out media and other groups.