Okay, Listen Here

Okay, Listen Here

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

I Never Wanted a Child...


         I never wanted to have a child.  Guess I’m selfish or just smart enough to realize that I am really not good with children.  I was always the person in the office who ran when someone brought his or her newborn for everyone to see.  Nice to look at but don’t ask me to hold the baby – I’ll still run.  Please don’t get me wrong.  I do like children if they are quiet, well behaved and not bothering me.  Now do you see why I knew better than to have a child?

         However, in a moment of weakness, I gave in and, well, got pregnant after seven years of marriage.  Pregnancy was a nightmare – morning sickness for ten months.  Yes, ten months because the doctor let me go a month over what I knew was my due date.  I finally went to his office one day, rather waddled in, and told him that if he didn’t get this ALIEN out of me I was going to kill him with a stapler (which I picked up off his desk and brandished – Pirate!).  After a C-section the next day (and a row of staples instead of stitches – how the doctor must have laughed), I had a brand new baby which no book could tell me what to do with.

         Fortunately, my son was a wonderful baby.  He ate, he chortled and he slept right on schedule, his not mine.  He never got sick.  He never fussed and cried.  He was just the best.  I remember looking into his eyes and thinking, “This is an old soul who knows what the world is like.”  For once, I loved a child.  And believe me, I love him dearly.

         Throughout his childhood my son was a model child.  He minded me.  He did his homework.  He excelled in school.  Oh, he had his moments but all in all he was great.  He carried this model behavior to college and, once again, excelled, graduating Magna Cum Laude. 

         Now, drum roll please, he has been accepted to Medical School at the University of Alabama Birmingham.  He was accepted to six other schools across the nation but UAB was where I wanted him to go (it’s only an hour away not in Oregon where he also got accepted).  He worked hard for this honor and he certainly deserves it.  I know he will be a good doctor, empathetic and knowledgeable, because he is an old soul with compassion.

         I’m glad I listened to my husband.  The world would be a poorer place without my child.  I also wouldn’t have had the pleasure of knowing him.  So, forgive me for bragging, but he’s just the best!




Tell me about your experiences with babies, youngsters and teenagers.  I’m sure some of you are younger with small children.  Don’t worry – they do grow up and amaze you.  And, please, feel free to brag.  We all deserve to do so after the monumental job of being a mother, aunt or godmother!

11 comments:

  1. Congratulations! You have every right to be proud!

    Like you, I didn't want to have kids. Mainly because they scared the hell out of me! But I caved after 8 years of marriage. And I have to say it was the best decision I ever made. I love being a mother. I have great kids, too. Clair was the one always on schedule, did everything I asked. She makes the Dean's list every semester. Vz, well....hmm. Let's just say she lives to stir things up a bit! Don't get me wrong...she's just as smart and over-achieving as Clair. She just has her own style. So we laugh and roll with the punches and muddle through it all as best we can. But the best part of having children for me is the raising they gave me. I wouldn't be the person I am today without them. They certainly keep life interesting! :D

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    1. Thanks Lesia! Sounds like you are always kept on your toes by Vz. I agree about the raising I got from my son. He taught me INFINITE patience. To say the boy is stubborn is an understatement.

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  2. When I was younger I thought that I wanted a child, perhaps because my husband wanted one so badly. Then life took different turns and that just wasn't in the cards for me. I enjoyed working with children at my church and decided to change fields and go in to elementary education.

    It was the best change that I have ever made in my life. Now it is like I get the joy of seeing many children work hard and succeed.

    This week I have been around a student that I had in my first class and second class because I moved up with them. It is a wonderful thing to see what a lovely young lady she has grown to become!

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    1. You made an excellent decision because I know you are a wonderful teacher. We need many more like you to encourage our kids and help them on the right path. I do appreciate all the things my son's teachers did for him - it was very important.

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  3. I will spare you all waxing eloquent about my godson, since it has been done and, no doubt, more will be coming. I don't talk much here about my goddaughter, Baby Girl--not because I love her less, but I tend to blog about the here and the now and what is in my face. Baby Girl lives in another town now, with babies of her own. She doesn't fly through my kitchen anymore, like Precious Angel does, wanting a Coke, a sandwich, and piece of me. I miss that, but I am so proud of her. Oldest Friend used to say, "I don't know if we will ever get her raised." But we did and she is amazing.

    Congratulations, Cheryl. This is your achievement too. And I must say, he is hero looking worthy!

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    1. Thanks Jean. I am biased but I think he's very handsome. He's also a clothes horse. LOL

      We all love to hear about PA; he's like ours too. And Baby Girl is also familiar to us from some of your blogs. Both these kids are very special and I am sure that a large part of that is because you had a hand in their raisin'. We want more stories about both of them!

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  4. Congratulations to your son! And to you and your hubby!!!! What a spectacular testament to his upbringing!!!!

    I'm of a different mold. I wanted to have babies from the time I was 16. Had to graduate and find Mr Right first. I finally found him the beginning of my sophomore year in college and we married 2 yrs later. We had our first son two years after that. Then boom, boom, boom, out came my other 3. Didn't feel sick at all with the first 2, then had 2 miscarriages before having the second set of 2. Would've had more if I hadn't been told to shut the c-section factory down. Plus, LTC said we'd had enough. Lol!

    I admire Stephanie for teaching generations to come. What a legacy!!! And to Jean and Lesia for devoting all those years to literacy for children via the Library. Cheryl, you've done your part making the world a safer place to live for our kids. Me? I've just been birthin babies. :)

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    1. Thanks Kathy! He's impressed me with his determination.

      I am sure the morning sickness played a big role in there only being one child in this family. See, even in utero, my son was planning. He didn't have to share. LOL

      Wow, I couldn't imagine five kids - you deserve a medal! From listening to you talk about them, I am positive that each and every one is very special and very smart. You should be proud of yourself for their upbringing. Okay, so I'll give a little credit to the LTC but you were there for them and I think that's very important.

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  5. Congrats!! That is exciting and I'm so happy for all of you!

    I have to say that we have five very good kids and I'm very proud of each and everyone of them. They are growing up so fast. :)

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  6. Misty, that is totally what I would expect. You are such a good mother, caring and loving with all of your kids. That's the problem with kids - they let you get attached then they go and grow up on you. But, having them older is also a blessing! :D

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