The topic of babies—to have or not to have—has been on my mind lately. It may be a shock to many, as "maternal" is not usually an adjective that comes to mind when describing me. It's not the ticking of the biological clock that got me thinking, but the loud ticking of an actual clock.
In the past year, I've finally settled into my marriage (after two years!), resigned from my community commitments, and changed to a more work-life balanced job. To conclude, I have a lot of free time and haven't figured out what to do with it.
As usual, I did come up with a list of things I want to do, or rather, I should be doing, such as working out, taking career-related classes, reading, traveling, fixing up the house, etc. But I haven't quite worked up any motivation to take on any of the items. (Okay, I admit, I'm procrastinating!) So, my mind has wandered over to the topic of babies. Of course, it's not easy to avoid when I'm surrounded by friends who've taken the plunge.
Most recently, I learned my friend Becky is pregnant with her second. My friend Jen just gave birth last week to little Lucy. My friend Nicole in NYC just had her first, daughter Catherine, two weeks ago. A handful of cousins have had their firsts and seconds, while some are working on their second one. It's fun (and loud!) to be surrounded by all these little ones, but am I up for it?
Since traditionally, it takes two people to make a baby, you're probably thinking, "Shouldn't the question be 'are Gabe and I up for it?'" Well, Gabe doesn't care either way, as he knows he can procreate even when he's like 70. My parents aren't itching for grand kids either, even though my mom did recently suggest I should consider having kids to fill up my time. So, it really comes down to me.
What's holding me back, you ask. Is it the growing cost of raising kids? The future of our green Earth? Political and economic uncertainties? The unpredictable 18+ years after birth? That list of things I've yet to accomplish? Or is it the fear of becoming bored with my own kids?
I don't really know. Maybe I should forget all the possible reasons not, and just close my eyes, say a little prayer, and take the plunge too. (Oh, I can hear the story now..."Sweetheart, you were conceived because Mommy was bored and wasn't motivated to do anything else.")
On second thought, I'm going to hit that stack of books I've been meaning to get to all year long...
In the past year, I've finally settled into my marriage (after two years!), resigned from my community commitments, and changed to a more work-life balanced job. To conclude, I have a lot of free time and haven't figured out what to do with it.
As usual, I did come up with a list of things I want to do, or rather, I should be doing, such as working out, taking career-related classes, reading, traveling, fixing up the house, etc. But I haven't quite worked up any motivation to take on any of the items. (Okay, I admit, I'm procrastinating!) So, my mind has wandered over to the topic of babies. Of course, it's not easy to avoid when I'm surrounded by friends who've taken the plunge.
Most recently, I learned my friend Becky is pregnant with her second. My friend Jen just gave birth last week to little Lucy. My friend Nicole in NYC just had her first, daughter Catherine, two weeks ago. A handful of cousins have had their firsts and seconds, while some are working on their second one. It's fun (and loud!) to be surrounded by all these little ones, but am I up for it?
Since traditionally, it takes two people to make a baby, you're probably thinking, "Shouldn't the question be 'are Gabe and I up for it?'" Well, Gabe doesn't care either way, as he knows he can procreate even when he's like 70. My parents aren't itching for grand kids either, even though my mom did recently suggest I should consider having kids to fill up my time. So, it really comes down to me.
What's holding me back, you ask. Is it the growing cost of raising kids? The future of our green Earth? Political and economic uncertainties? The unpredictable 18+ years after birth? That list of things I've yet to accomplish? Or is it the fear of becoming bored with my own kids?
I don't really know. Maybe I should forget all the possible reasons not, and just close my eyes, say a little prayer, and take the plunge too. (Oh, I can hear the story now..."Sweetheart, you were conceived because Mommy was bored and wasn't motivated to do anything else.")
On second thought, I'm going to hit that stack of books I've been meaning to get to all year long...
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