January 20. It’s a banner day and one that will always have meaning in my world. January 20, 2003 was the day my life changed completely. There are times in each person’s life that are pivotal and that’s one of mine. It is the day my son was born, the love of my life.

Now you may say “awe, happy for you, but what does that really have to do with me?” Good, sarcastic question, just the kind I like! That leads me to what the real crux of my rant today, parenting. I am of the belief that you shouldn’t have kids if you can’t take care of them. Yes, I am one of THOSE people. I also believe that if you don’t want kids, don’t have them! As my 80 year old grandmother (who had 12 kids!) said “back in my day, we didn’t have things to keep from having kids. You have things now. USE THEM!” Amen Grandma, amen!

If you do want them but can’t have them, my heart goes out to you. My best friend and her husband were in that situation. They decided to take classes to become foster parents and try to find a child to adopt. Thankfully, they now have a great adoptive daughter who they fiercely love.

If you don’t want children and don’t have them, then you have been given another kind of amazing gift. That gift is threefold. One-you will have something that your friends and/or siblings with kids don’t have-disposable income! Two-you get to be the cool person because you can use the disposable income on their kids! Three-you can be an amazing support to your friend or sibling by reminding the children that their parent used to be cool until THEY came along! I tell my nieces and nephews they sucked the cool right out of their mom!

So, on this special day, I recommit to trying to be vigilant as a parent and to remind my child how important he is to me every day. To my son Ryan:

Dude, I love your guts! Happy Birthday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brought to you by the proud parenting blogger at MillsApartments.net!