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Reply: Eating after Dinner?!?!

Are they eating a large or late snack in the aftenroon? I am surprised that both...

Posted by Andrew Adesman, MD

13 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Eating after Dinner?!?! Are they eating a large or late snack in the aftenroon? I am surprised that both...

Reply: Parents Hate Parenting?

It is interesting to read the articles debating whether having children makes...

Posted by Andrew Adesman, MD

It is interesting to read the articles debating whether having children makes people more or less happy. Although parenting definitely involves stress and sacrifice, it typically also deliver many precious and wonderful moments. The article in NY Magazine would suggest that the negatives outweight the positives, and the writer of this article proceeds to cite a multitude of studies to support this contention.

Parenting -- the decision to have children -- is not a hedonistic indulgence. It indeed will at times require sacrifice and induce stress -- and at these moments, the proverbial grass of the childless couple may look greener. But, rather than looking at parenting by a happiness benchmark, perhaps the focus should shift to one of fulfillment. And, the focus should also shift to the long view -- whether in hindsight, parents decide they were glad they had children.

I love kids -- which should come as no surprise from a pediatrician and father of three. That said, I also recognize that not everyone enjoys kids as much as I do, and that some adults are better suited for parenting than others.

Although I am mindful of the many sacrifices that I (and my wife) make for our children, one needs to consider not what you get, but what you give. Parents should not focus on "what is in it for me?", but rather what can I give to a child and then, by extension, the community in which we live. From this perspective, parenting can often be a selfless act -- albeit one with many rewards in both the short- and long-term.

I do not mean to suggest that parents' lives are not enriched by their children. They almost always are. But, there is a big differnence between happiness and enrichment.

Parenting -- first and foremost -- is about the child. In my view, studies that show parents to be less happy than their childless peers are focusing on the wrong benchmark. Fulfillment and enrichment are likely more important life benchmarks or considerations for parents in the long view.
View Thread

Posted byAndrew Adesman, MD

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Parents Hate Parenting? It is interesting to read the articles debating whether having children makes...

Reply: Seven Mysteries of Poison Ivy

Urushiol -- the oil from the poison ivy plant -- is so "potent" that the amount...

Posted by Andrew Adesman, MD

6 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Seven Mysteries of Poison Ivy Urushiol -- the oil from the poison ivy plant -- is so "potent" that the amount...

Reply: Developing Chicken Pox as side effect of vaccine

According to the CDC, "about 1%-4% of vaccine recipients develop a very mild...

Posted by Andrew Adesman, MD

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Developing Chicken Pox as side effect of vaccine According to the CDC, "about 1%-4% of vaccine recipients develop a very mild...

Reply: Should I have my children vaccinated if I don't wa...

Pediatricians vary in their flexibility around immunization schedules. As stated...

Posted by Andrew Adesman, MD

12 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Should I have my children vaccinated if I don't want them to be? Pediatricians vary in their flexibility around immunization schedules. As stated...

Reply: Ear problem

Ear discharge can be normal immediately following placement of the ear tubes. If...

Posted by Andrew Adesman, MD

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Ear problem Ear discharge can be normal immediately following placement of the ear tubes. If...

Reply: Need some advise.

Not sure if it is possible, but it sounds like your son would be better of...

Posted by Andrew Adesman, MD

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Need some advise. Not sure if it is possible, but it sounds like your son would be better of...

Reply: Need some advise.

You might try eliminating the nap for a week and see what happens. Also, are...

Posted by Andrew Adesman, MD

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Need some advise. You might try eliminating the nap for a week and see what happens. Also, are...

Reply: TRAVEL

It is often recommended to limit a newborn's exposure to potential infection...

Posted by Andrew Adesman, MD

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:TRAVEL It is often recommended to limit a newborn's exposure to potential infection...

Reply: need advise

There are many possible causes for excess appetite, and I would not treat with...

Posted by Andrew Adesman, MD

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:need advise There are many possible causes for excess appetite, and I would not treat with...

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