This is from a author of a children book that I like very much. It's called Different dances by Shel Silverstein. The funny thing about children books is that they are never really meant for children. That's what I learnt when I started reading about sci-fi and watching sci-fi series (Battlestar Galatica, if you must know) - the background just serves as a context for telling something important, so you can mask the seriousness of the issue by putting it in any backdrop. As a result, I always loved children books because they are really simple and full of nice pictures to look at.
I think I can really understand the stress of a single income family. There's not only the physical work that comes with working hard to provide for the family, there's also the mental stress involved. I can emphasize with the strip because I also think there are three groups of people to take care of. They are:
1. Your immediate family, which includes your spouse and children. The strip only shows 2 kid, but if there's more than two kids coming along, the man will 'sink' faster.
2. Your parents. Actually the strip also didn't include both sides of the parents, so that's two extra person on top of the man. Again, I think the man would sink faster than what is really shown here.
3. Yourself. I think that this is usually the most neglected of all. Maybe it's just me, because I tend to neglect myself and put others above me. I got to learn to be a little less responsible and pamper myself more.
6 comments :
Unless one is a high income earner, single income family will always be tough with more kids. It is a matter of choice. Good or bad only time will tell.
Hi LP,
Well, unless you really like children, otherwise a DINK (dual income no kids) status is very comfortable. ;)
Dear LP,
Let things take their natural course with regards to having kids. Whether you have kids or not, be happy and contented with what you have. Some people try hard to have kids but do not have, while others do not want kids but got a lot in the end. No matter what the situation, be thankful and contented with what we have. Some families raised up many kids with even small household income, while others raised up a few kids with much household income. But, raising children is not just about fianancial planning. The responsibility to provide for the kid goes beyond just fulfilling basic financial needs and involves spending time to love and discipline the kid to grow up with fine character. By providing comfortably in terms of material needs and wants for our kid may not mean having done our part as parents. Being parents carries a much heavy responsibility than that, which involves spending time to love our kid (not just buying things for them which is only one minute way of showing love) and teaching our kid right values and habits from young. :-)
Hi bro8888,
I think it's quite hard. If it's single income, most likely will have to compromise a bit on standard of living. Can't be helped...
I agree, good or bad depends...
Hi AK,
Haha, heard of that before, DINK :) I like children, but she don't really like, haha
Hi Jeremy,
Actually I'm more afraid of not being able to provide the time and responsibility of raising a kid, than the financial responsibilities. It's a long long kind of duty and responsibility, not sure if I'm ready to take it :)
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