OSH;1400602 wrote:I honestly do not like hearing, "just as long as they are happy" talk.
There are a lot of things that make people happy that aren't "right." There is a lot more to life than being "happy." Pursuing happiness is so selfish. It is easy to attain in short bursts, and that means it is temporary. I want my kids to have purpose with their lives. To mean something. To value life and others. To make an impact.
There is so much pain in life, but the pleasure comes through pain. Every kid rides a bike and it makes them "happy." But, when they learn to ride, fall, scrape their knees, etc. they aren't happy. When they accomplish something through pain and trouble, they find purpose and meaning. I hope my kids find meaning in life that goes beyond a temporary feeling.
You completely skipped the other part of my post, where I said she is also many other things in addition to "happy". I am not a parent, but mine have told me literally hundreds of times that their greatest wish for me in life is to be happy. I have a very hard time believing that it will be any different if I ever have children of my own. Would I like them to accomplish big things? Sure. That would be awesome. But if they are miserable and unhappy while doing so...no, thank you.