I Love To Laugh

A while ago a childless friend of mine (who is currently not interested in having children) asked me and a couple of other new-ish mommies "What do you get out of having children?" She didn't ask it in a demeaning way or anything, just curious. I have always felt bad because although I love my kiddies more than anything in the world, I didn't really know how to answer that question. Recently, the answer has come to me though...

They make me laugh.

True, other people and things can make you laugh, but nothing and no one can make you laugh like your kids can. They can do it by making a funny face, saying a certain word or phrase, showing off a new-found sense of humor, constantly falling over their own feet, doing something that makes you so proud that a smile just isn't enough, or just laughing themselves. Yes, they can also make you so frustrated that you cry, so upset that you scream, and make you wish that you could lock yourself in a room where no one is allowed to talking (or at least not allowed to say "Mommy!"), but when they make you laugh, it makes all of those not-so-good times worth it a thousand times over.

6 comments:

Nikki said...

That's a good response to that question. Although, for me, the answer is a fuller heart... way fuller (is fuller a word?) than it was before kids. I love my family and my husband very much, but loving a child is so different. I'm sure in part its the fact that a child NEEDS you, in a way no one else in the world will ever need you. And that makes you step up to the plate to be everything you can possibly be for that child. And you get to watch them learn and grow right before your eyes, and you get so much satisfaction from each and every one of their accomplishments. Can you tell I'm pregnant? :)

Sally said...

I often wonder what people get out of having kids, and when some friends and their fourteeen-month-old came to stay a few months ago I realised that one of the things is that in the course of an average day (i.e. not going to a comedy club or anything!), people with small kids laugh more than people without.

That doesn't mean that I want any kids of my own though... I probably laugh more than most non-parents because I have Rob to make me laugh - who is just a big kid anyway, now that I think about it!

Christina said...

That is a great answer! I agree completely!

Angelle said...

I do agree that I laugh a lot. But I also agree with Nikki's comment. I do feel like my heart is fuller and my emotions are more readily available. I am more compassionate and more patient. I WANT to be a better person, to set an example for my children. It is an experience like none other.

Anonymous said...

What a good question...I personally CANNOT imagine life without kids! I think I would be pretty bored :) For me, my kids have made me so...much of a better person. I think about what I do and say more often because it affects someone other than myself. I think I'm more open minded and a lot less judgemental. I enjoy life a lot more because they remind me of the simple things :) For me, a life without kids would be very quiet and lonely...but that's just my feelings :)

Kathy

Anonymous said...

One more thought...Being a mom is an honor that I don't take for granted.

Kathy