Adaptation

I clearly remember having no desire to have children — ever — in middle school, and through part of high school. Later on, I thought the idea wasn't so ridiculous in the far, far future.

Then, when I turned 20, I realized that at this age, several decades ago, both my grandmothers were married around my age and had their first child not long after.

Almost around the same time, and especially after working with children, I realized: not only is having children something I want, but it's something I can become capable of doing. I'm used to locking away the rubber bands and stray crayons from toddlers' hands, and I'm getting used to being seen as a grown-up with answers to everything. Even when it means answering rapid-fire questions about movie previews, how to color well, and the current movie playing, not to mention guessing games.

I imagine that both my grandmothers had some preparation for child-raising from their younger siblings, and know it used to be more common for women to marry and have children fairly early. Still, I am amazed that they took on those responsibilities so soon and, seeing how my parents and aunts and uncle turned out, so well.