How do people find the courage to have children?

I’m in the process of finding a puppy – and I’m trying hard to stay sane. My mind is constantly busy with training plans, shopping lists, scheduling, money issues…I’m making and re-making decisions I thought I had already made.

Now, I am only getting a dog. That’s 15 years of care, at the most. The costs are low, compared to those of raising a child. With decent training, I can probably leave this dog home alone in about a year, while a child can’t be left on his own for years. Training a dog is different from raising a child, and while there are specific challenges to both, training a dog is definitely more clear-cut. I wouldn’t even get shunned if I gave up after a while*.

How do people manage to have children? How do they manage to not freak out for the nine months spent waiting? Do you think many don’t realize what they’re getting into? I’m sure the parents of Fluther were, for the most part, very thoughtful parents-to-be. How did you do it?

* I have never given away a dog, and I don’t think I ever could. The mentality of simply getting rid of a dog that’s causing problems bothers me a lot!