Mona Chalabi’s piece on the impact of parenthood (Read this before you have a baby (especially if you’re a woman), theguardian.com, 8 December) was well researched and interesting. It is good that people are realistic about the demands of child-rearing. But, when considering motherhood, the kinds of questions I would ask are: do I want to bear personal witness to the greatest miracle on the planet, childbirth? Do I want to watch day by day the growth of an infant’s brain and personality on the constant feedback loop of life? Do I want in middle age to be closely involved with young people finding their place in the world and doing things I never imagined doing at their age? Compared with that, the question of whether I may not have time for my favourite leisure activities for six or seven years seems small beer.
Pamela Major
London
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters
