Having a Family or Sucking Us Dry?

This is a friendly response to Paul Levy’s article at Reformation21. You may want to read it first.

We are in the full flush of married couples becoming parents here in the UK. It’s a great thing that so many babies are being born in the last 10 years and over that we rejoice. There’s no doubt that it’s something of a fad and at the moment it’s the trendy thing to do but that doesn’t mean it’s not the right thing to do. I expect in 5 years time there will be something else that is popular.

My question, having met a children in the last few weeks, is, when a baby is being born, is that code language for they’re going to suck their parents dry? That isn’t a criticism but I think we need to call a spade a spade. Of course those of us who are adults need to think of the next generation and be generous but I think we also need to give the kids a bit of a slap. To be an adult in this country is hard, hard work and to run a home is tough and so somebody turning up and demanding to be fed and changed can be somewhat trying. I’d love it if I met with a child and, when I asked him what stage are you at, he replied “I’m going wake you up at night and cry and demand to be fed, and in a few years I’ll need a drive to soccer practice too.” I’d at least give him points for honesty.