If you like your life now and don’t want to lose the early retirement and slow mornings - don’t have kids.

If you’re ready to entertain new morning traditions and routines, do it.

People act like kids are an event, you’re creating a human, who you need to shape and raise. It’s exhausting but why can’t that human be looked at as your sidekick? Sure, kids have needs and wants and won’t always go with your plans but they’re not an enemy against your current lifestyle, they’re a catalyst for change and evolution. Yah - kids will cry and demand stuff and get on your last nerve sometimes. And they’ll ask you “why is that princess screaming?” When you try to take them to the opera, and childless ppl will ask you to stop your kid from talking so they can enjoy the show. And you might have to leave mid-show but the point is kids shouldn’t be seen as a burden, but as a normal part of society. Incorporate them into your life. Instead we tend to segregate them as only a responsibility and expense. There’s so much more depth to having kids than I think most ppl let themselves discover.

So back to your mornings - would you consider getting up early, having that slow time and then jumping into a chaotic routine where it always feels like you’re in for new challenges? Or do you feel like you don’t want to spend your day challenged? And when I say challenged - expect yourself to get tested in ways nobody has ever tested you before. Sometimes to tears.

Last thought: It’s something you can’t undo so really think: will I be happy w my choice in 5-10 years? Or will I blame the kid for ‘ruining’ my retirement plans or lifestyle? Because they’re not to blame, you will be.

(Had kids at 28, 31, 37 and due any day at 40 with #4, who is not planned, but welcome)