25 Reasons to Be a Mother

Improved Breast Health

• Women, obviously, don't go through their menstrual cycle while pregnant, resulting in less exposure to ovarian hormones that increase the risk of certain types of breast cancer. Breastfeeding also reduces exposure to these hormones.

Reduced Risk of Cancer in Reproductive Organs

• "Women who have had a full-term pregnancy have reduced risks of ovarian and endometrial cancer," according to the National Cancer Institute, which reported the risks of these cancers declines with each additional full-term pregnancy.

Protection Against Alzheimer's Disease

• According to "Science Daily," women who breastfeed may be less likely to get Alzheimer's disease, and the longer they breastfeed, the more protection they may incur.

Boy Babies Protect Mothers From Alzheimer's

• "Science Magazine" reported the results of a study conducted by autoimmunity researcher and rheumatologist J. Lee Nelson of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. During pregnancy, mother and child exchange DNA, and women with more male DNA in their brains from carrying sons were less likely to develop Alzheimer's.

Greater Sex Drive in Mid-Pregnancy

• During pregnancy, orgasms may be more powerful than ever. "Our Bodies, Ourselves," said that's because blood flow to the genital area is increased.

Fewer Colds

• One surprising health benefit of motherhood is fewer colds. "Mail Online" reported a study from Carnegie Mellon University that showed parents had 52 percent fewer colds than non-parents.

Strong Family Ties

• When a baby arrives, families have a renewed sense of kinship as they gather to celebrate the new arrival. Family ties are strengthened.

Cherished Traditions

• Mothers pass on cherished family traditions. They decorate their homes for holidays, prepare special meals and observe religious celebrations with their children.

Through the Eyes of a Child

• When people have children, they get to experience the world through the eyes of a child. Raindrops on the window, the first snow, a caterpillar on a leaf are all occasions for wonder.

Better Eating Habits

• Most mothers try to instill healthy eating habits in their children, which means they have to observe them, also.

Best Reason to Quit Smoking

• According to the Center for Disease Control, smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States and causes 80 percent of lung cancer deaths in women. Motherhood provides a powerful incentive to quit smoking.

Exercise Buddy

• Motherhood also provides an incentive to demonstrate the benefits of an active lifestyle. "When parents and kids are active together, it gives them a common sense of purpose and a goal,̶1; said Joan Donnelly, Director of Total Health for the YMCA of Greater Houston, in an article for Faith and Fitness.net.

Laughter, the Best Medicine

• Children are spontaneously and naturally funny. They wear underpants on their heads, sing goofy songs and tell silly knock-knock jokes. Laughter is a guaranteed part of the parenthood package.

Spark Your Creativity

• Children love to draw, sculpt, dance, tell stories and imagine they are superheroes. Mothers can enter into their children's make-believe worlds and enhance their own creative spirits.

Relive Happy Childhood Moments

• Raising children provides the opportunity to relive positive experiences such as catching tadpoles, playing catch, carving pumpkins and eating s'mores.

Tech Support

• Children growing up with the newest technology find it easy to adapt to the latest advances. Being a parent means you'll always have someone who knows how to program the plethora of computer-based devices necessary for modern living.

Traveling Companion

• Parents who can endure endless rounds of "are we there yet" are rewarded with having someone to share traveling adventures with, whether the trip is across the country or to a neighboring town.

Sense of Purpose

• Many people find parenthood gives them a sense of purpose, which leads to better health, according to "Health Benefits of Positive Relationships." The article said people who feel useful "are less likely to suffer from chronic illness and have lower mortality rates."

Benefits of Healthy Touch

• "Health Benefits of Positive Relationships" also explained the powerful effect of oxytocin, a hormone known to increase people's sense of well-being. Positive relationships and loving touch elevates the level of oxytocin in the brain.

Joy of Giving

• Mothers give their time, attention, affection and money to their children, and they reap the benefits as well. According to "Five Ways Giving is Good for You," giving to others leads to increased happiness and improved health for the giver.

Link to the Future

• People who have children know their legacy will continue into the future. Long after they are gone, their words and deeds will be the stuff of family lore.

Comfort in Old Age

• People who live to old age may not want to live with their children, but they appreciate the help and support their children offer as they suffer the inevitable health deterioration of aging.

How Else Will You Get Grandchildren?

• For many people, grandchildren are the greatest joys of their senior years. They provide another opportunity to participate in child-rearing, as well as the chance to see their own children become parents.

You Just Enjoy Children

• The main reason to become a mother is because you enjoy children and want to have one of your own, whether through birth or adoption.

Power of Parenthood

• Parenthood provides the opportunity to mold people who will become a positive influence in the world. All it takes is a little knowledge, hard work, lots of love and perseverance.