1. They Make You Laugh

No doubt, kids can frustrate you to no end, but they are so funny too! When I think about all the laughs I’d have missed by going childless, it’s a pretty sad thought. Laughing with your kids is one of the best reasons to have kids. They say and do funny things and not a day will go by when you don’t bust up at something they do. In fact, I keep a notebook of all the funny things my kids say so I can get a good chuckle on hard days.

2. They Give You an Excuse for Doing Kid Things

Do you love jumping in a pile of leaves or belly flopping in the pool? You’ll look infinitely less ridiculous if you’re doing it alongside your child. If you miss doing kid things, having children of your own gives you someone to do them with. It also lets you share the joys of your own childhood with future generations.

3. They Teach You Patience

Nothing requires more patience than raising a child, particularly if said child is a toddler or a child about 3 years old. Children are stubborn and set in their ways. And they don’t like eating anything that’s not white. Having children will bring you plenty of new emotions, but they’ll also teach you to take a deep breath, put things in perspective and stay patient during the most trying of times.

4. They’ll Share the Load…Someday

No, I did not have kids so they could do manual labor around the house. But as they grow, I’ve discovered that it’s nice to have someone around to help me carry in the groceries, pick up things I drop and toss sheets in the washing machine. My kids by no means do their fair share of the housework, but it’s heartwarming when one of them grabs my pile of library books and says, “Let me get these for you, Mom.”

5. Naps

Enough said. Really, though, little ones need naps every day or they turn into crying little monsters by dinnertime. And if you “accidentally” fall asleep while you lie there trying to convince them to sleep, then it’s because those long sleep-deprived nights are taking their toll and you should definitely not feel guilty.

6. Cuddles

A newborn will snuggle right in and sleep in your arms for hours. There’s nothing better than watching a 20-hour television marathon except for doing it while your little one sleeps on you. Having a baby means you have someone to cuddle and snuggle anytime you want. Just remember to take it while you can because toddlers are not well known for cuddling for more than five seconds at a time.

7. Love

It sounds cliché, but having a baby opens you up to love you’ve never known before. Once you feel that little guy move inside your stomach, you’ll be smitten. And when you hold him in your arms for the first time…there’s no way to describe that. I promise, having kids will be the best thing you ever do.

What’s your favorite reason for having kids? Why did you have kids?