When two people get married, one of the major decisions to make is on having a baby. From conceiving to giving birth as well as parenting, having another member of the family, more importantly a baby is life-changing. It becomes a lifelong commitment.
While some couples are looking forward to starting a new life as a family and fulfilling their dreams of being parents, there are those who are not thinking of putting off having children or not having kids at all. With this in mind, it helps to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of having a baby.
Basically, parents give topmost priority to their babies and children, at least, for the first two decades of these children’s lives. This is not a duty one can be derelict on. Moreover, this does not change only one person’s life but also that of the members in the family. Having a baby comes with challenges and rewards. And although the situation is not the same for everybody, the fact that this is a commitment one can get into for a lifetime, makes it significant to learn about its benefits and setbacks.
List of Pros of Having a Baby
1. A baby completes a family.
For most people, having a bundle of joy in the home is incomparable. This is why every couple should consider having kids. Children are significant member s of the family and there is nothing more fulfilling than taking care of another human being that came from your own flesh and blood or in case of adopting one, a baby you have chosen to bring up as your own. A baby is the result of the love between two individuals who love each other.
2. Having a child nurtures relationships.
When a baby is born in a family, such as in a married couple with no other previous children, this can be a welcoming event in the lives of a woman and her partner. Having to decide together on many aspects of bringing up the child, from the form of discipline to the kind of education, can be a big factor to strengthening their lives as couples. Being responsible for the life of another, a child of your own, makes you appreciate your partner more. In a nutshell, having a baby can strengthen the relationship of two individuals who have decided to include a child in the family.
3. It is a joyful experience.
For most expectant mothers, having a life inside your body is an overwhelming and ecstatic experience. Some even consider this magical and a miracle. For nine months, despite having morning sickness for some and the risks it may entail, there is the feeling of excitement as the day of giving birth gets nearer each day. Expecting moms and dads are excited to buy stuff for the baby, prepare the nursery and even think of a name they will give the child. All these are happy moments future parents will experience in having a baby.
4. It is important to continue the generation.
When a couple has a baby, this person will grow up and perhaps get married. Some couples decide to have one because they want to continue their bloodlines and this will only be possible with a child in the family. A baby will inherit the genes of the parents as well as the physical attributes of both. The idea of seeing another human being with one’s physical and genetic traits is a miracle on its own and this is also what makes having a baby one of the best experiences in a person’s life.
5. It can benefit science and medicine.
Nowadays, stem cells from babies and the umbilical cords from newborns are used in research and treatment of various medical conditions like cancer and heart disease. This is one reason a birth of a child is important not only for the parents but for the whole of humanity. Aside from having a son or daughter to take care of their parents in later life, having a baby can be crucial in saving other people’s lives.
List of Cons of Having a Baby
1. It is an added responsibility.
There are couples and partners who decide to postpone having a new member in the family or having a baby at all because they are not ready to shoulder another responsibility in their lives. Couples who are too busy with work find it hard to balance their careers and family, much more, take care of a baby.
2. It is expensive.
Starting a family is not that easy especially if the husband and wife are not financially stable. For people who are struggling with their finances, having a baby can be a disadvantage since there are expenses to deal with, from the time of pregnancy to raising a child. A pregnant woman needs to have pre-natal checkups, immunizations, among others. Moreover, these expenses will go far beyond the birth of the child. Education is another expense that can be a toll on parents who are not financially capable to send their children to school. Given the costs of bringing up a child, it might not be a good idea to have one in the first place.
3. It requires attention.
Apart from the financial burden, having a baby will demand time from both parents, especially on the mother. This can be a problem if both are busy professionals. The mom might have leave her job and give up a career that she have worked hard for. Some women prefer to be in the corporate world and are too busy to consider being moms. For women who are career-oriented, a baby might not be an option because this can be a disadvantage.
4. It can be an issue in divorce.
One of the problems couples who are in the process of separation is the custody of their children. The legal and emotional battles they have to face can be frustrating not only on themselves but also on their children. This is why for some, having children have cons instead of pros, particularly when divorce is the topic. Without a baby to fight over with, the process can be easier and less complicated.
In general, having a baby is an issue that is seen from two perspectives. This is a decision that may be or may not be the best for an individual or a couple. By knowing what this event in life has to offer, the rewards and responsibilities attach to it, deciding on whether to have a baby or not will be easier.