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Adding to the Family
There are two ways to add a child to your
family: by giving birth or through adopting.
Most couples choose to have a child of their
own so that it shares the biological traits
of the parents. In some cases, when one parent
is unable, the couple might choose a surrogate
parent. In other cases -- perhaps because
the couple believes that there are too many
needy children in the world, they may choose
to adopt.
Whichever route you choose, know beforehand
that adding a child to your family is more
than just having a bundle of joy by your
side. The demands of parenthood are tremendous
and are not for everyone. Parenting takes
time and money: adding a child is a twenty
year or more commitment. It also demands
skills of the parents. A good parent must
be loving yet forceful, a good provider yet
available, involved but aware of when to
allow a child to venture out on their own.
Being a parent has its rewards, too.
You
can observe firsthand the physical,
emotional,
and intellectual growth of your children
as they learn to walk, to talk, to
read,
to love, to experiment, and to become
individuals.
You can pass on to them your insights
into
life that they may lead a happy life.
You
may also be grooming your caretaker
for your
later years, when you become less independent
and more dependent on them. And, you
can
relish having made a contribution to
the
world that may continue to renew itself
generation
after geneartion, long after you have
gone.
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