But bearing children is serious business, not just a diversion from boredom or a means to pacify our insecurities or ego fantasies. In modern civilization things are different than in bush or on farm. The world already has more than enough people for its resources. Children do not help families survive; rather they are an economic burden.

To not have children is to miss out on something not duplicated by any other possible experience. It is such a joy that some parents keep repeating it without a full understanding of long-term responsibilities and consequences. Regardless of their age you never really break cord. So procreation is not recreation. Today’s world requires an intelligent approach to most everything. Certainly, would be parents should be educated on child rearing as well as impact population pressure has on world. In fact, nobody should be allowed to have children without such training. It’s insane that such an important responsibility requires nothing more than capable (and always willing) genitals.

But since there is no such training or requirement thereof, I’ll take on duty here. Before you become Mr. or Mrs. Fecund, consider following:

1.Babies grow up to be in-your-face teenagers and adults. They are not always so cuddly, cute and compliant. Yes, you will be god to them for about 12 wondrous years, but that’s it. Then you will have rest of their life with responsibility without authority…they want you there to provide and pick up pieces but don’t want to follow your advice.

2.You will not make your children what you want them to be. They are not your toys, something to solve some ego or insecurity problem you have or a glob of clay for you to shape into your perfect view of a child (modeled after you, of course). They will not change from first time you can recognize their personality in crib until they die of old age. Don’t try to spank them into submission or conformity to your dream of what they should be. It will not change them but it will leave you with memories to regret. All you can do is provide a healthy and loving environment for them to be what they will be. The rest is up to them.

3.You will never stop feeling a sense of responsibility toward them regardless of their age. You will never stop feeling guilt that you should have done more when they were young.

When was last time you took your kids to zoo? Do you remember how much fun they had, and do you remember how much you enjoyed watching their faces light up when they watched penguins being fed, or chimpanzees chasing each other around exhibit? Isn’t it time you packed up your family and headed to nearest zoo?

A day at zoo isn’t just a fun way for entire family to spend day, but also a great opportunity for you to teach your child about all sorts of stuff. There is of course obvious, like naming different animals with your preschooler or reading exhibit signs with your school-age child. Let’s take a look at some other teaching opportunities.

If you are taking a preschooler to zoo, talk to him about what sounds different animals make. Ask him what sound monkey makes and then ask him to listen to animal. Don’t forget to praise him for how closely he imitated a monkey’s call.

There are also plenty of opportunities in Zoo to talk about colors. What color is lion, how about flamingo? You can also count animals with your child. How many elephants can you see? Another idea is to talk to your preschooler about what a particular animal likes to eat. Some of his suggestions may be outright funny. My little cousin figured that flamingos only ate cotton candy, since they were so pink.