parents vs. non-parents

parenting's not for everyone. some people aren't fit to be parents. some people just don't wanna be parents. but then there's other people that are parents, some of them great, some of them average, others doing a down right awful job of it. to each their own i say. i'm not here to declare which lifestyle is better. you wanna be a parent? you like parenting? awesome! children scare you and you don't want anything to do with them? equally awesome!

but the one thing i find hard to deny is which side is more jealous of the other. for the most part, people who aren't parents are that way by choice (MOST part... i understand there are unfortunate exceptions that prohibit some willing parental hopefuls from participating in the great act of procreation). whether you think you might suck at it, whether you hate children, or maybe you love the fuck out of your freedom... whatever it may be, there's a reason, and in the mind of a non-parent a damn good one, for not procreating.

and when the non-parent types see the parent types out and about with their children or posting pics on facebook or making youtube videos of benchmarks in their children's life... i don't think there's much jealousy. sure, maybe they kick around the idea of, "i'd like to be around for a child's first steps or high school graduation." but then the non-parent usually thinks about the other bunch of years that surround those special moments and figures something like, "eh, not worth it."

and i know what some or most parents are thinking at this point. the non-parents don't know what they're missing. they don't know how special and nice and precious and fulfilling the whole raising children experience can be. and you're right, i suppose. i wouldn't know for sure cuz i'm not a parent so i'll just have to take your word for it. non-parents have no idea how awesome or special or delightful having children could be. it's just one of those things that makes this comparison unfair.

parents know all about being a non-parent. they've been there. they've tasted it. they know what's good and bad about it. they know how their life has become better and at the same time become worse. sure, it's fulfilling. but doesn't it bother you just a little to know there's people your age who have no children so they just do what they want, when they want? if they want to sleep for ten hours, they do it. if they want to drink, dance, riot, or hole themselves up in their living room and watch copious amounts of whatever you're favorite tv show may be, they can do it without it affecting anybody but them.

it all comes down to what you live your life for. once you go parent, you can never go back. you will forever be responsible for someone else's life. and that's serious. a non-parent can say, "fuck it all," and decide to never live or breathe a serious moment again. it may not be a great way to live, but that's a freedom parents don't have.

parents should be proud though. i'm not trying to shit on you. what you do is honorable. you're the reason for life. my mom's a parent and she rules. so trust me, i dig parents. there's a lot of sacrifice but with sacrifice comes honor. the thing about non-parenting is that it's the easy way out. anyone can do it. and in many cases,  we're probably better off cuz some people choose not to have children. raising the future isn't for everyone. some people are gonna fuck that up. some people already are. there's some parents who probably shouldn't  be parents in the first place.

but if you're a parent and you read my blog, i'm certain you're one of the good ones. so keep it up! i hope the best for you and your little one(s). and to all you non-parents out there, anyone up for a party on a weeknight???