For some, this question causes bewilderment - after all, having a child is natural, habitual, and, finally, many have children. For others, this is a justification for their beliefs that a child is a burden and a burden. However, even those who are preparing to become parents and are already carrying a pushing baby under their hearts do not have a clear and definite answer to this question. Common Beliefs A survey conducted among pregnant women showed that pregnancy is not a special event for the majority. As a rule, this is a means of solving any personal problems and experiences. Let's look at the most common ones. It's time for me to have children. A person who is socially oriented wants to be like everyone else. And it is this image that motivates a woman to conceive. If for some reason she does not live up to the generally accepted stereotype, then she begins to worry, anxiety and a search for the reasons for her discrepancy sets in. With a child, we will have a real family. For most women, the image of a family is necessarily associated with children. In order for this picture to materialize, they rush into conception and birth, without realizing what really motivates them. Some sincerely believe that a child can improve relations with their husband, mistakenly believing that a man wants a baby just like a woman .As a rule, both the first and the second create beautiful external family pictures, but the internal fullness of the relationship between family members leaves much to be desired. I need to prove to my husband (parents) that I can have children. An attempt to assert myself through the birth of a child is also characteristic of modern “ other-oriented personality. Such a woman is trying to prove something to someone (primarily to herself, but does not realize it). She manipulates with the help of pregnancy and a child to win back her space, obtain any material benefits or status from her family and close circle. I want to take a break from work. Maternity leave for some working women is a way to get away from accumulated problems with self-realization or vocation. But solving the issue of self-realization after childbirth and maternity leave is much more difficult than before pregnancy. I want to receive material benefits. Increasing living space, buying a car, receiving payments from the state, gifts from relatives - this and much more also motivates a woman to become pregnant. However, this also lacks elements of conscious readiness for motherhood. I want to establish myself as a woman. For many women, pregnancy, childbirth and having a child are a way of self-affirmation of their gender, the implementation of their instinctive program, which is “sharpened” for reproduction. On the one hand, this option is natural, but it also lacks awareness and understanding of why I am doing this and for what purpose. Separating the wheat from the chaff Only 3% of 100% of respondents showed that for them the child is important in the fact of conception, pregnancy and childbirth. personality, that for them pregnancy and childbirth are an opportunity to be close to the baby and contribute to the growth and development of him as a person, that the child is a gift that was sent to them from above and that they have a certain responsibility in this regard. Indeed, a child is needed woman, man, family, clan for the sake of the child itself, for the sake of the future, for the sake of continuing traditions, transferring knowledge, continuity of generations, for the sake of life and life affirmation. A child is not a means or a way. He comes into our lives to teach us something, so that we understand the boundaries and degree of responsibility for ourselves and our family, learn to defend family interests, and see the true goals and objectives of our lives. Signs of conscious parenthood You realize what you want and are ready to invest in the health and development of the child. You understand that the formation of the foundations and further development of the baby’s personality depends on you. You understand that the child is not your property, he is a separate person, but it is your responsibility to do everything so that he comes out emotionally and intellectually