Posted by tinydancer on March 5, 2004, at 1:48:57
In reply to women without children, posted by terrics on March 4, 2004, at 15:16:10
I have one child who was concieved when I was a teenager and the prevention method failed.
I have never though of women, men or married couples as being self centered in any way. The choice to have children or not have children is incredibly individual with enormous reasonings behind it. I also have never thought of mental illness as being a reason to discourage having a child. Even with a mental illness that doesn't mean one cannot be a loving parent, although one would have to evaluate one's ability to care for a child if they were often unable to function due to the mental illness.
I think having a child is a very serious responsibility and I applaud men and women who choose to wait to have children or not at all-that means they understand the responsibility and take it seriously.
For me, being pregnant was the most wonderful time of my life, when somehow my hormones tricked my brain into thinking I was no longer mentally ill. I struggle a lot being a mother but my will to live and desire to achieve something is made so much stronger by having a little one to look after. I would love to have more children but I don't know when I will be in a stable place to be able to again.
poster:tinydancer
thread:320209
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040303/msgs/320494.html