Ellie Gonsalves, a model and actress, gave 178 reasons why she chooses to remain childfree to her over a million followers on Instagram. (I won’t link to her since she’s extremely immodest.) She’s insightful about all of the hard parts about bearing and raising children. It’s far from easy! None of God’s ways are easy, but they are good. Here is part of her list:

1. They are YOUR responsibility until the day you die
2. Post partum hair loss
3. You are tired ALL the time
4. Children can inherit emotional trauma
5. The worlds already overpopulated
6. You will watch your child scramble for the already limited resources eg. Jobs, housing etc.
7. You become second priority to your partner
8. Your child can decide to cut you off for whatever reason when they’re older
9. They can be bullied
10. They can be bullies
11. They can turn into a serial killer
12. They can turn into a rapist
13. You will watch them grow up in a world of chaos and stress every minute of every day if they are ok and they are safe
14. Kids can be ungrateful
15. Kids can be rude
16. Kids can be wildly embarrassing
17. Terrible twos
18. Teenager stage
19. Teenager phase
20. There will never be a break from parenthood

She acts like she’s brave sharing all of these reasons. The problem is that the birth rates in most countries are at all time lows. God created us to marry and be fruitful and multiply. She’s simply pushing the feminist agenda that has been pushed on women for decades now and is going to end up being devastating to many nations.

I asked the women on my Instagram what the blessings are in having children. Here are some of their replies:

They help you slow down and enjoy life

Her list is mostly fear driven! Your children could be…Not a reason to not have children.

They bring JOY to the family.

My son lights up my life in so many ways.

The privilege of raising eternal souls who prayerfully will accept Christ as their Savior.

The laughter, love, unconditional love, baby smiles, and baby babble.

We are able to see things in a new light by watching them explore the world.

Too many to count. but I can’t imagine growing old and having no family to fellowship with.

They bring joy to our home with their laughter and innocence.

You mature into a new version of yourself!

They sanctify you and teach you patience and unselfishness.

Little children bring endless cuddles, cures loneliness, and I love watching them learn.

Teaching and showing them what is good.

Life becomes joyful!!!

You grow in holiness and patience.

They become the best people to know, your best friends.

So many blessings. They can make the world a better place if God is placed in their home.

They think you’re the most perfect mom in the world, even when you don’t think so yourself.

Truly seeing God’s love through your children.

Too many to name. I often wish I had more children.

They make even the most mundane tasks fun.

Siblings make best friends.

A little extra purpose in this life and eternal rewards!

All of the beautiful fruit manifested in your child from doing your very best.

Witnessing all the milestones and becoming friends when they are adults and then grandbabies!

It pleases the Lord. Truly gifts from Him.

Endless undeserved hugs, kisses, giggles, and “I love you!”

They brighten every day, and they light up the eyes of the elderly with new hope.

Getting to learn alongside and see the world through the eyes of a child again.

Realizing they are your life’s work and purpose.

Teaching them about God and His Word.

They are a heritage from God.

Knowing you’re being obedient to the Lord.

A crowded table when you’re older.

If you raise godly children, you won’t be lonely in your old age! So sad to see elderly who die alone.

Having simple childlike fun with them

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127:3-5