Benefits of Parenthood

Children need parents, but perhaps just as much, we need children. 

This week in class we discussed the importance of being parents.  Having children opens new doors of learning for us. 

As children we were always exploring, learning about, and testing the world around us.  As we got older we kept learning but not to the same extent as children.  If marriage is a house of learning then raising children is the core curriculum.

The following is a basic list of benefits of parenthood:
  Belonging to something greater than oneself - participation in any group makes you a part of that group.  No other entity I can think of allows for closer more significant unity than family.
  Becoming selfless through service - The key to love is service and self-sacrifice.  Emotional investments required in a healthy parent-child relationship will pull you out for your own shallow need for excessive individualism and replace it with something real and rewarding.
  Learning to love more than ever before 
  An opportunity to re-parent yourself through your own parenting - Through parenting we can work to change things for the better from the way we were parented, keeping the good and weeding out the bad. As our parenting styles change we change.
  An increased sense of self-worth and significance - Sometimes we refuse to push ourselves unless others depend on us.  The great duty that comes with children will be the most fulfilling work we do!
  Coming to understand God better - For all His titles He has chosen for Himself the title of Father is the one He prefers us to address Him as.