My son will be three next month.  This morning he crawled into our bed and wiggled himself over to me with the express intention to be snuggled.  What a thrill and a gift to wrap my arms around him, smell his sweet smell, stroke is perfect cheeks and whisper how much I love him.  These are the moments I cherish and mindfully add to my memory banks.  Moments like these often accompany the personal testimonies of many mothers when they refer to the joys of their motherhood experience.  

Since the day my son was was born, there has always been love.  My feelings of love were thankfully matched with feelings of "like" at age two.  And, at age three, I can gratefully include joy.  And, no, unfortunately, the joy of motherhood, cannot be compared.  That, of course, is my opinion.  Motherhood joy has no equal.  It is this joy that I felt like I was unwilling to miss when I was 30 and in love. 

I now feel and know motherhood joy.  But, at this point, motherhood has not been a net positive experience for me.  I cannot tell you that I am a better person now than I was before having a child.  I cannot tell you that I am a healthier person, wealthier person, happier person or more confident person.  I can tell you that I am a wiser person and that I now know the unequaled joy of motherhood.  Motherhood joy has come to me with a very heavy cost and I am not willing to offer to any woman who is hesitant or unable to have a child that motherhood joy is an essential life experience.

Until next time, be well.

The entire post may be found at Deciding to Have a Baby - Do You Encourage Motherhood?

Erin - ExpectingExecutive
Helping You Manage Life's Details