I thought I’d do an AGOG (“A Glimmer of Gold”) post about children.

First off, I must say that whoever thinks having children is easy must not be the one taking care of them.

In addition to basics like cleaning laundry, changing diapers, and picking up toys, here are some things you have to worry about:

• Babies choking on anything from tiny doll shoes to overlarge sprinkles.
• Babies suffocating from blankets, toys, and overeager siblings.
• Toddlers jumping on and falling off the couch.
• Toddlers climbing on tables, counters, refrigerators, etc.
• Kids marking all over the wall, furniture, car headrests, etc., in permanent ink.
• Kids pushing and head-locking their siblings.
• Kids falling off a chair and biting their tongues or breaking bones.
• Kids falling and knocking into something.
• Kids being bullied at school.

It feels like half the work of parenthood is just making sure your kids stay alive! And then you have to decide what you want to promote and limit in terms of food, screen-time, and so on.

It completely boggles my mind how someone who doesn’t want kids could ever hope to take care of one. You have to worry about them constantly, with different worries at different ages. You may worry about the immediate physical safety of the young ones, but with the older ones, you have to worry about how they are handling themselves online. Not to mention the pressure of the grades of school-age children!

Does a parent ever stop worrying about his/her children? I know I won’t! Even if my kids are all adults with families of their own, I will worry about them.

But the crazy thing is that it is totally worth all of it. Those happy giggles and screeches from the younger ones (along with the unexpected hugs and kisses) can really bring a smile to your face. And then the older ones like something that you enjoy, and you think with pride, “My kid is like me!”

Having kids is the hardest thing I have ever done, but it is also the most worthwhile. All of the hardships are completely overshone by the blinding glimmer of gold that is my love for my children. I do not think having children is for everyone, but it is one wild and enjoyable ride!

What are some crazy things your kids have done? What is an example of an experience that makes it worth it?