Seriously, Just Show Up!

This is a topic that I have discussed recently, but one that bothers me.  Why does someone become a parent if they have little to no interest in their child or children?  Can someone please explain that to me?  

We waited until we were at a point in our marriage and lives that we were prepared to have a child and wanted to bring one into the world.  I know not everyone plans and prepares like we do, but you should not have a child before you are ready.  There are people who do not want children or are really never ready for them, and there is nothing wrong with that.  Parenting is difficult, it is not for everyone.  But once you choose to have a child, your life should revolve around him or her.  Literally.  

You cannot make any choices (large or small) without accounting for how it will impact your child, your spouse, your family.  For example, we take our son out to lunch and what we order is based on foods he can and should be eating.  We look to get a new car and we have to make sure it will accommodate his car seat.  We look to take a trip and have to make sure the flight suits his schedule.  

There are things that we cannot control - a last minute emergency, a flight that gets delayed.  But once you decide to have a child, you have to be committed to do the things you can control.  Spend time with him or her at night and on weekends.  Take vacations.  Go to birthday parties and other events.  Just show up.  It is difficult to be reliable and dependable.  It is easy to make an excuse.  No one said parenting was easy, but it worth everything you put into it.