Why Barney and Robin Are Not Parenting Material

Besides the Obvious Reason

 I'm certain that, eventually, Barney and Robin will come to terms with one important issue: kids. I'm not sure when: it could crop up within the next few episodes, or be left unresolved until their wedding day (which might be the reason why Robin is freaking out on that day, I'm not sure). I used to read all about upcoming episodes so I knew what to expect, but this year I've decided to avoid that to avoid spoilers; so maybe some article somewhere in the internet-verse confirms when the issue will come up and you might know, dear reader, but I do not. But, when it comes up is not the topic of this post today.

 

I'm talking about the issue itself. Now I know many of you, as soon as you read the title, have already concluded that it's because Robin's infertile. I know that, and it confirms that Barney and Robin will never have kids. But as a matter of interest, I want to ignore that fact and find more reasons why Barney and Robin are not parenting material. 

Barney 

 

Remember when Barney would actually celebrate the fact he was not a father? (inventing the holiday, Not a Father's Day in the process) Apparently, that's all changed: he's pro-kids now. I admit, I would've been surprised if Barney never considered even once about the idea passing his awesomeness and teachings down to the generations.

 

The problem is that he only sees the good side to parenting. He likes the idea of being a dad, but ignores the hard responsibilities of the reality. Yes, kids are fun and adorable, but you have to take care of them and make sure the kid can survive in your presense. The proof: when Robin told him she was pregnant and that, if so, he was the dad, he was over the moon. However he later runs into an old wingman, Insane Duane, and sees how miserable his old friend was as a dad. After Duane describes the responsibilities he's living through, Barney is immediately turned off the possibility he might become a dad. After Robin is confirmed not to be pregnant after all, Barney was overjoyed with the news as much as Robin was, but as soon as the worries went away and they visit the kids store again, Barney finds babies had become cute again.

 

It all but confirms that although Barney likes kids and the idea of being a father, he's not the kind of guy that can bear the huge responsibility, unlike Marshall and wanna-be Ted. Barney's too independent; he doesn't want to be tied down like that for the rest of his life - which describes Robin's attitude towards parenting exactly.

 

So instead of becoming a dad in the future, Barney will get to spend time doing fun kid stuff with Ted's kids and well as Marvin Waitforit (and any other kids of Marshall and Lily, if they have any more, which I have a feeling they will) without going through all the dad stuff he isn't meant for, and I think Barney will realise this sooner or later.

 

I also like to mention that in the episode, "The Rebound Girl" (S7X11), Ted and Barney do look after a baby, but it was only for a short while and Barney knew he was only babysitting his half-brother James' daughter, so the hard responsibility wasn't there for Barney to experience.

 

Robin

 

Repeatedly throughout the show, we have been thrown with plenty of comments and examples to do with Robin and her struggle with kids. Early in the show's history, Robin even had a baby phobia, and generally disliked kids (even her little sister when Robin was a kid herself). But Future "I-Don't-Get-Why-People-Think-Bob-Saget-Sounds-Exactly-Like-Josh-Radnor" Ted confirms that Robin does make peace with kids eventually - taking Ted's kids to the zoo and beach, and even be included in their drawings. Robin even has found babies cute already.  

 

But Robin doesn't want to be a mother. Yes, she took it pretty hard when she heard she could never have children, but it was more the fact the choice was taken away from her. Robin likes being independent, and I think now she sees herself as having a flaw, and that was what upset her, at least partly. I know that's harsh to say, the word flaw, but it describes how I see Robin see herself. Robin no longer has that choice, even if in the end she says no to kids anyway. She feels she has less control of what she does with her life.

 

But even after all that, she ultimately prefers not to be a mother. If she did, she and Kevin would've lasted longer as a couple (whether they would've lasted into marriage is up to debate). Let me explain: Kevin still wanted to marry Robin after she told him she can't have kids, but what stopped him is when she admitted she didn't want kids. Kevin was open to adoption, but Robin said no. Even though the choice of having her own kids was taken away, the choice to have kids at all was still available, and Robin said no. I can't say that she definitely preferred not being a mother to being with Kevin - she was heartbroken when Kevin broke up with her - but her decision was final.

 

 

 

Barney is the only one of the group that currently doesn't know Robin can't have children and he will definitely be shocked and saddened when he does find out, but unlike Kevin he will choose Robin over kids any day. It goes to show that not every couple in the gang has to have children.

So we'll just let Barney and Robin go on to be awesome as a couple.