by Sharon Copeland

Created on: October 13, 2009

There are a lot of things that are surprising about having children. When I got pregnant with my first child everyone kept telling me how different my life was going to be. I would always respond with "how much different can it be?" Well, believe me, I found out how much different. Who knew that one tiny little sweet smelling baby would make that much difference in a person's life. That was the first surprising thing to me....that everyone knew what they were talking about.

It is surprising how much you can love another person no matter what. I love my children with all of my heart and there isn't anything they can say or do to change that. Oh, they try on a daily basis to test that theory. That isn't to say there aren't days I want to run screaming into the night never to be seen again. It only takes one look at those sleeping children to say to myself "hey, this day wasn't so bad." That was another surprise to me. Those children can be cranky, moody or downright mean, and I will still think they are the greatest creatures in the world.

I am surprised at how fast they grow,and how much you can worry about the safety of their welfare. It seems one minute you are lugging a car seat around with a diaper bag slung over your shoulder, and the next thing you know you are shopping for a car for this little person to drive because they have hit sixteen. It is amazing to watch your own children turn into their own person with dreams and ideas of their own. The thought of having children doesn't even compare to the real experience of actually having one.

I have often thought about what my life would be like without children. Sure, I would have more time to myself. I would never have to worry about babysitters or pediatricians again. When I close the bathroom door I would know that nobody would be knocking on the other side to ask "How much longer until I can use the shower?" I also know how sad my life would be without them. The one thing that doesn't surprise me is that , if given the choice, I would do it all over again. When I see a pregnant woman on the street, I don't stop to tell her how much different her life will be. That is a surprise she will find out for herself.

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