Having children and rearing them to become capable adults isn't cheap and it certainly isn't easy. So why do we do it? First of all, it has nothing to do with money or how difficult it is. Here are some practical and emotional reasons why couples need to get married and jump into this life-consuming task of bringing children into the world.
Practical Reasons for Having Children
Society is counting on you
The bottom line is that societies die unless children are born. Today many countries are far below replacement levels, with couples having only one or two children, or none. These societies are imploding. Because of mortality rates, it takes 2.1 children to maintain replacement levels in industrialized nations. (In developing countries it's 2.33 because of higher mortality rates.) Since nobody is going to have a .1 child, consider having at least 3. Without children being born, eventually there will be no supply of people to carry on industry, education, medical services, and every other need of humankind.
Without children and grandchildren, the elderly are left without the support a family can give
It takes the young to care for the elderly. Those who are not having children because it's too hard or too expensive will be among those without help when they grow old and are in need of support that only a loving family can give. Do some sacrificing now by having children or face the probability of a sad and lonely life later. If you're single, even though you want to be married and have children consider what a single friend of ours did. She went to China and adopted two little girls from an orphanage. She is giving these children a loving home, and, thanks to her devoted parents, a caring grandfather and grandmother are in their lives as well. This doesn't fit for everyone, but being a loving aunt or uncle does. We all can have the blessing of children in our lives.
Emotional reasons for having children
It is the most rewarding thing you will ever do
Yes, it's difficult, and yes, it's expensive, but no effort will ever have a greater payoff than parenthood. When you hold that newborn baby in your arms your whole being will be filled with a love you never dreamed possible. Perhaps God gives us that feeling so we will have what it takes to do the hard part of rearing them.
You want your family to continue on
There will be no posterity without first having a child. Sometimes couples do all in their power to give birth, but aren't successful. We know how that feels. All of our five children are adopted. Where there's a will, there's a way. Which brings us to the fact that now we have 20 grandchildren. We adore our children, and now we double adore theirs. What a blessing to have grandchildren. Hang in there, all you couples with young children, it just gets better.
Children need siblings
If you can have more than one or two children, then do it. We could have stopped with one, but knew our children needed brothers and sisters. Siblings are a blessing throughout all of life. Ours have been some of our closest friends, and still show caring concern for us, and we to them. That legacy continues on. Recently our daughter said, "I'm so thankful for my brothers. They care about me. I love them so much." That's music to our ears because when they were younger and did a fair amount of quarreling, we wondered if that would ever be the case. It's comforting to know that when we are gone they will have each other.
From the Bible
There are so many reasons to have children. As stated in Psalm 127:3-5 ESV, "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!" Once we bring them into the world we need to love and nurture them so they will have the best possible opportunity for happy, fulfilling lives.
No one can tell you how many children you should have. That's a private decision for each couple; however, you can seek divine guidance in this most important matter. Being a parent is a God-given responsibility, so you can count on his help in fulfilling this most important of all roles.
