love having children

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My younger son is 8. Compared to his brother who is 4 years older, he always seems young. You know how age is actually relative. So, Sid at 8 was a big boy while Gautam at 8 is still a child. Though he is no longer a baby, we still try to hold on to the last vestiges of his little boyhood by hugging him, pulling his cheeks and generally fooling around with him. He is one of the most direct people I know. He will never shy away from telling you to your face if he has been hurt or if you did something wrong. While he is very quiet outside the house, he is the most vociferous at home. You have to make your point correctly for him to be convinced. The other day, short on patience, I was cribbing to him that I have so much pending work. He said that he always offers to help but then I don’t let him many times. I cannot be blamed either. I took him up on his offer once and he started folding the clothes and keeping them in his dresser. Errr, crumpling and dumping would be more like it despite showing him how to fold stuff. I had to beg him to stop helping me. 🙂 But, he does dust the grills quite well. He has also picked up how to run the vacuum cleaner from big brother and can chip in on those days when the maid does not come. He also wants to learn how to hang up the washed clothes. And by the way, he does the best job of applying balm on your head. Whenever I have a headache, Gautam takes it away with firm strokes of his little fingers rubbing the balm.

Sid is almost as tall as me now. On the verge of teenage, he no longer feels like my little boy though he will always be one for me. The one whose birth made me a mother and transformed my life completely. The one in whom I see so much of me yet he is his own boy. The one in whom I never cease to take pride though I do try to hide that from him. Both of us are aware that he molds his brother’s character much more than we do. The little fellow hero worships his elder brother. He tries to cultivate the same interests, play the same games and match up to the same hobbies which is a huge task. There is no competition among them which is a relief because I have tried my best to refrain from comparing the two.

As he has grown older, he and I have become friends. I realize that I can talk to him, discuss books, politics, even rant because he understands, he connects, he listens and is patient. Just a couple of days back, I had a severe tummyache – so bad that I was unable to walk around. I was not able to understand what caused it and was resting to ease it away. When he came back from school, he suggested a medicine which I normally give them for indigestion. It had completely slipped my mind to take that one. He gave it to me and within half an hour my pain eased. It was nice to see him take on my role for once. There are so many such instances when I see his sensitivity. He will chip in with vacuuming when the maid does not come. He has recently started learning how to do dishes properly. He is also slowly easing into learning cooking. And he runs a lot of errands outdoors for me especially going to the neighborhood shop to get things. Not to mention the stuff that he does for Coco, taking him out etc.

We always crib how it is difficult to have children, how much work it is. No doubt, it is. It also puts a lot of strain on your relationship with your partner as you both work harder managing a home and providing for the family and are always short on time. But things ease up as they grow older. The enriching part is that we also get companions in this journey of life who delight and exasperate us and let us grow and learn with them. You see them transform from helpless, hapless kids to friendly adults and eventually grow into the role of parenting you!

A family that has all members watching each other’s backs works. I do truly love having children. Life would have been easier and much less tiring without them, but it would have been poorer in terms of experiences and joys of living.

39 Thoughts on “Why I love having children?

  1. So completely agree with you Rachna. Having a child is one of the most enriching experiences life can offer.
    And I always love reading about your boys. Sensitive Sid and shaitaan gautam 🙂 Please give both of them my love and hugs !

    • Thank you so much, Ghata. I love writing about them too. It is fun how they keep changing at every stage and give me enough fodder to write. I would pass on the hugs to them. I enjoy reading about your little girl and all the pics too. Much love to her and you.

  2. Beautiful post Rachna..

    As moms we say its excruciating to grow a child, but as you said once they become your friend know what you feel and connect emotionally with you there is nothing that could beat the happiness..

    Reading your post I could really feel it. Elder son taking care of you so sweet and that shows his caring nature for everyone too.

    • Thank you so much, Sangeetha. I love the transition of them becoming friends, of making you feel that you are the most important in the world and of loving you to bits. Yes, nothing can beat the happiness. It makes all the hard work so worth it.

  3. you know what I have been wondering about this same topic lately after having read some birthing stories – what motivates a woman to have children?
    I like your honest admission – ‘Life would have been easier …’ ..
    Great post .. Lot to think about ….

    • Thanks so much, simple girl. I would be the first one to say that it is a lot of hard work. But then nothing of value in this world is ever achieved without that. Having children, raising them and making them good citizens is a task beyond compare. They can be so much fun despite being so frustrating. 🙂

  4. Such a lovely post Rachna. it was as if you were writing about my life with my kids. My sons aged 13 and 7 are ditto same behave in the same manner and even help me same way. Loved reading the post.

  5. I can relate to what you say here. Having kids does change everything. It’s a lot of work and a big responsibility and can be very, very tough sometimes. But yeah, there are those moments that make it all totally worth it.

    I love hearing about your adorable kids. I would like to meet them someday. I’d like to see you too, sometime. 🙂

  6. It’s a wonderful experience to be sure!! Loved reading more about your sweet boys!!

  7. Ah! I am on the outside looking in on these things 🙂 Great kids you have, Rachna and may you enjoy your time with them for long

  8. It was lovely to read about your kids–they grow up so fast that we miss their babyhood and like you,we too prolonged their babyhood as long as possible.
    Lovely write up .

  9. Your joy and pride and bliss and contentment and all those other good things shine through your words 🙂 Heartfelt writing, Rachna. Wishing you and your family the very best for all times to come.

  10. Beautiful post Rachna ! This definitely deserves to be on the top on Indiblogger 🙂
    Great to know more about your lovely kids !

  11. Absolutely agree with your thoughts – I love having children too 🙂
    And hey…my younger one and Gautam seem to match in so many qualities…probably traits of younger ones huh ?? 😀
    Hugs mommy, I can so relate to this post 🙂

  12. Interesting post. Should be good I guess. I wouldn’t know. Maybe I will comment 10 years from now.

  13. Loved reading about your boys! Yes, it is indeed a blessing to have kids around you and seeing them grow from a baby to a big boy is definitely a journey to be cherished and enjoyed!

  14. This post makes me think about my rather silly inhibitions or fears of going the family way… It makes me think that I shouldn’t worry so much… It’s okay to be scared but having a family is a wonderful thing…

    • Oh, it always is, Naba. Just look back at your own family. I know how dearly you love them. I am sure your parents must be thinking how lucky they are to have you and your sister. I would imagine that our lives would lose some colour if we did not have our families. Yes, it is a lot of hard work, but it is so worth it. You start enjoying them even relying them as they grow older. 🙂

  15. i can vouch for your kids are very disciplined and well trained

  16. I love having children for the very same reasons. That was themost heartfelt piece of writing I read today. Glad to have come back to read this. Lovely! 🙂

  17. Such a beautiful read. I was just reimagining the whole thing with my family. I’m the younger daughter and I could relate to most of what you had mentioned about your younger son. It took my back to the good old days of growing up with my sister. FOr some reason this post made me very emotional. I guess it’s because I’m staying alone for a while, while the parents are on a trip.
    Thanks for taking me back to my childhood 🙂

  18. Enjoyed reading your post and the small pleasures that kids give us 🙂 Happy for you to have such wonderful sons. And a wee bit jealous of Sid too 😛 that Rushi isn’t responsible yet. Can I have him for the holidays? the other day I had cramps in my feet and I asked Rushi to rub it and he started poking which only worsens…huh.. I despise children sometimes…but truly, it is a blessing to have them around. Aren’t lives so empty and bored without them? How I am waiting to meet your sweet family 🙂 Lots of hugs.

    • Thanks, dear. Gautam volunteers to massage my feet or back when it hurts and I let him do it. He is very gentle with his tiny hands. 🙂 Absolutely, life is an adventure daily with our kids. And no matter how much we grumble, the intensity with which we love them is unmatched. Hugs to you too. I am also waiting to meet you and your family, my dear.

Do not leave without commenting. I love a good conversation :).

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