This evening I completed one of my 33-Day Challenge tasks by volunteering at a local charity that collects clothes, toys, and other kid-related items to give to children in need.
I brought with me one bag of clothes to donate that Theo had outgrown. I’ve donated items there before – things the boys received that they never really wore – but this was the first time I gave away clothes that I loved, rather than saving them for a possible little sibling.
It isn’t because I’ve decided, though. My dueling brains won’t let that happen. Here’s what my head sounds like, especially on days like today.
—————
Right brain: You did what? You gave away baby clothes? Why??
Left brain: Because we’re done having kids. Now some other
baby gets to wear them.
Right brain: We’re not done! Why would you say that?
1. Left brain: I can give you several good reasons.
First, another child would cost a small fortune. Just to fly home twice
would be another thousand dollars a year. A year!
2. Right brain: Money? I can’t believe you’re putting a dollar figure
on a person like that. It’s so clinical of you. What about how
great it’ll be for the kids to have each other as playmates and best
friends their whole lives? Can you put a dollar figure on that?
3. Left brain: Facts and figures are kinda my thing, you know. But, seriously,
playmates? That brings me easily to my second point: do you really
want to spend even more time being the referee than we already do?
Three-way fights? Cuz that’ll definitely happen.
4. Right brain: They’ll just learn how to deal with other people even more
effectively. People skills are very important in life, you know.
5. Left brain: So are skills like math and reading. How much one-on-one
time do you think we’re going to have to spend with each child if we have
another? You know, to read books, answer questions, play with numbers?
You think we’re juggling now? Just wait.
6. Right brain: We’re a teacher, Left. We regularly deal with lots of kids.
Eight times that many, if you want to be so precise all the time.
We love kids. We always wanted a bigger family.
7. Left brain: Well, yes, but what about space?
Where are we going to put another little person?
8. Right brain: We still have time to figure that out. And to buy bunk beds!
Just imagine for a moment: another baby to snuggle.
Another little person to discover. Tiny toes!
9. Left brain: Imagination is your thing, Right. I’m trying to count how
many more years we can give up full nights of sleep without going
insane.
Right brain: …and tiny socks, first smiles, hugs and
“You’re my favorite Mama”…
Left brain: Are you even listening to me? Because those were five excellent
reasons to be done having kids. And I could keep going.
Right brain: ::humming Brahms’ Lullaby::
Left brain: You’re hopeless.
10. Right brain: All right, all right. I gave you four reasons already,
but I can give you a fifth. We don’t feel done.
It feels like someone is still missing from our family.
Left brain: Sigh. Ok.
But can we at least clear out the garage?
Right brain: Sigh. Fine. We can always buy stuff again later. Yay, shopping!
Left brain: ::spluttering:: But…the money!
——-
There you have it: my ten reasons why I both want and don’t want more kids. But I think you can tell which way I’m leaning.
Thanks to Stasha and Jen for a fun topic this week! It’s clearly been on my mind anyway.
You are so creative. What a splendid list. And I am inspired by your volunteer work!
My left and right are in unison but… my neighbor and one of my closest friends is expecting her 7th and every time I am over at her house full of love and fun, a little piece of my heart wonders if my brain is overrated…
I know what you mean. My mom is the oldest of seven and my dad was the oldest of five, so I come from big families. The idea of having a small one feels so strange to me (but not to my only-child husband). We’ve decided not to decide for now. It was the only way to stop my internal argument!
I thought I was the only one whose brain argued with itself.
You’re not alone! I can’t tell if it’s a sign of brilliance or insanity, but I’m voting for brilliance.
My brain did the same thing after my second! And we got rid of almost everything because I was so certain we’d never have a third. Then we decided to and had to buy everything again 🙂
We’re keeping some of the stuff I don’t want to have to rebuy, but anything I know I can get for cheap at the consignment store is going!
Your internal conversations have got me laughing! What rich characters your left and right brains are! 😀
Ah thanks. It could just be that I use my left and right brains’ arguments to avoid making decisions, but at least it makes for an entertaining blog post! ; )
On quiet fall nights,
when the brains don’t know I’m there,
I hear them duel.
Very creative post, lady. And I am all for more sweet babies. 😉
This is like a conversation between me and my husband. Love it! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
I have my tubes tied, and my right brain and left brain have been having that exact debate for 8 years now.
So cute! I vote with Right. But I’m not the one having them, am I?
It’s so hard to give away the baby stuff- even knowing I’m done!
But yes, I’m DONE.
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
I get so mad at my left brain and right brain when they argue like that!
That was fun to read…So which side of the brain is going to win out? 😉
very creative! As always! Very true. I lean on most days to the DONE category myself. But just last night, two days before my ‘baby’ will turn 3 he said, “Mom. We need a real baby here.” When we asked him why, he couldn’t come up with much. Then he said, “I need to vacuum the baby.” So there you go! Yet another reason to have another kid! 🙂 Tough stuff!!
I hope ya’ll are doing well!
Oh, my gosh—Johny!!! I can’t stop wiping the laughter tears from my eyes after reading your comment–hilarious!
And, Jessica—I wonder if you want the 3rd baby, precisely because you are a “third baby”? Good justification for it, since you turned out so perfect! It’s a tough decision because it’s got physical time-limits and it creates another LIFE which impacts so many other lives–but, how could that ever be anything but good?! I vote in support of the right brain!!!