In Fall 2022, I received a link via text message to an article published in Bloomberg.com entitled Women Who Stay Single and Don’t Have Kids Are Getting Richer. The person who sent me the link didn’t know that I was expecting my first child. Out of curiosity, I read the article and was left with one outstanding  question: Did the new research from St. Louis Federal, cited by the author of this article, include women from various racial groups and ethnicities?

In 2019, I viewed an Instagram video post by Supa Cent, an entrepreneur, that showed her signing closing documents for a warehouse for her cosmetics line while she was in the hospital having contractions before giving birth to her daughter. Observing how undeterred she was in achieving her dreams, inspired me during my pregnancy journey.

Before having my child, I basked in my freedom from only being responsible for myself. I never thought having a child would limit my earning potential. I believed that having a child would strengthen my resolve to acquire more resources for my family. In addition, I have become “richer” in other aspects of my life. I’m richer in three attributes: prioritization, gratitude, and creativity.

Prioritization

Having a child is helped me to better prioritize my daily tasks. I spend less time mindlessly scrolling on my cell phone and more time keeping myself organized to better care for my child.

Gratitude

I’m thankful for the village that has surrounded me since having my child and I now make a greater effort to write down what I’m grateful for.

Creativity

I never thought I could feed a child and feed myself simultaneously but I figured out a way.

I’m sure I’ll grow richer in other attributes during my parenthood journey.