JediDefender.com Forums
Community => Watto's Junk Yard => Topic started by: Snively Bandar on July 27, 2003, 06:53 PM
-
I was just curious as to how many of the older folks around here have children. If so, how many? Do you enjoy having them, or regret having them, or a little of both? Do they drive you insane? If you don't have kids, are you happy that you chose not to, or do you feel left out that most other people have them but you don't?
I'm about to get engaged, and neither myself nor my girlfriend are sure if we really want kids or not at this point. Seems like we should have them, but we often get driven a little crazy by the antics of many other kids that we see with our friends, families, or when we're out in public. We go back and forth on the decision, so I was wondering what everyone else's thoughts were on the matter. Please be honest, and don't rip people who might be on the other side of the fence! ;)
So?
-
None that I know of ;D
-
I've been married for three years, and we currently don't have any kids. We are planning on having kids in about a year or so.
-
I was dating a girl that had a kid, and I've come to not really like kids all that much. I can certainly see where the term 'rugrat' came from, now.
-
Don't have 'em, don't want 'em. I like my freedom, and I like traveling. I have zero maternal instinct, unless you count that inclination towards cats. :)
-
Have one. Unbelievable kid, great kid, super kid. Just a riot to have around, lots of work too (of course we could pretty easily ignore her and have her turn out to be a slug).
My wife and I, when we married (I was 29, she 28) had little or no interest in kids. Didn't like em much (though they are drawn to me for some reason - I swear, I try to be mean), hated most other peoples kids, routinely disgusted by the way most parents didn't pay attention. Sound familiar?
Flash forward 6 years, wife comes up to me and says we should have a kid :o Uh, ok. Not as bad as it sounds. I was sort of thinking the same thing. Plus they're lots of fun to make ;D Sure enough, we had/have one. Beautiful little girl.
Has she been lots of work? Yup, incredible amounts and we still see parents that make no effort. Net result, their kids and little snots and we end up being the ones policing their behaviours. None of my business? Uh-uh, my kid will try to do the same. Just cuz someone else is too lazy to move their butt to do anything about little Johnny/Janey whipping stones at other kids doesn't mean I won't say something. >:( ;)
Restrict your freedom? Oh yeah baby. But you get used to it and we are pretty close to even partners. Make no mistake, for the first several years the woman does more work and it likely continues that way just because that is the role of the "mom". But you can travel with them and go to most things (outside of say an AC/DC concert with a 9 day old baby ::)) and it's really not very restrictive. Our daughter has her own frequent flyer card, has been on 7 flights so far and never been much of a problem. She travels by car very well too. It's what they get used to and if it's no big deal to them, it's no big deal to you. Of course, once they pass 2 years old, they cost just as much as a big person to fly, but they take up one seat, so it may suck, but it is reasonable.
Be careful CC, that's about all the maternal instinct Mrs. Bug had as well. :P And I am not kidding.
So tons of work, poopy diapers, loss of sleep, stress and worry, puking on your shirt, utter and complete lack of logic.
Best thing that ever happened to me. :D :) ;D 8) :-*
I would never crap on anyone that doesn't want them, but I am sure glad we had one.
-
Be careful CC, that's about all the maternal instinct Mrs. Bug had as well. :P And I am not kidding.
Ah, careful nothin'. ;)
I've known that I don't want kids since I was a kid myself. I don't mind them, and even love one or two of them (best friends' kids), but I like cats much better, when it comes down to any sort of little creature living with me. I have friends that try to talk me into having kids frequently, and I can never understand why they don't get the point, that some people just don't want to have children of their own.
-
I assure you I was not trying to convince you. Merely warning you of a similarity in viewpoint. If you don't want kids, that's cool. It's your life after all.
I think the most boggling thought is how many utterly unprepared and incompetent people have kids. Jeez, we have licenses for cars, there should be licenses for kids too.
-
I assure you I was not trying to convince you. Merely warning you of a similarity in viewpoint. If you don't want kids, that's cool. It's your life after all.
I think the most boggling thought is how many utterly unprepared and incompetent people have kids. Jeez, we have licenses for cars, there should be licenses for kids too.
Oh, I know you weren't trying to convince me dear. :-*
And I agree with you, about the licensing thing. I also think people should go through a rigorous screening process in order to own a pet.
-
I have three... Hey it's the magic number right?
Actually two biological... and one not. Though I treat Neal no differently. He's 12 and our oldest. He's a lot of work and honestly I could've bailed very early on but I love my now wife and knew of the "baggage" prior.
He's on three meds and has been diagnosed and rediagnosed several times now... I think we are almost at a final diagnose though of bi-polar.
It can be tough but... you stick out.
Imagine though dealing w/ what he can dish out and having two smaller children (1- 4 yr old and 1- 1 1/2 yr old). I love my kids to death and am glad I had them.
We have two boys Neal -12, Jimmy Jr. -4, and mommy got her girl finally Jenna -1 1/2. They can test your last nerve no doubt about that but they are kids... and that in general seems to be their job.
We put them here by our own will and choice basically and now have to make sure they turn out good. That's our job.
We could like Morg said let them run rampant... but there's plenty enough parents that do that job quite well.
It's tough but you make it through. It's tough seeing them sick... sometimes very... and there's little you can do...
It's beautiful; though to just wake and see their devilish little faces still sleeping sometimes...
There are plus and minus sides of having kids... but the plus far outweighs minus IMHO.
They do take a huge chunk of that do anything... anytime attitude... but you know that's part of it in advance.
We do make sure though we have our time and our nights... Just had one last night and I got pretty boozled up ;)
Alls good though we have my mom to watch them and a great sitter. We had a lot of fun club/bar hopping... came home had more fun... umm yeah anyway.... ;)
I know we are done though... How so? Well I got the sure fire way of knowing done over a year ago now LOL
They are great but three is ENOUGH!!! Not eight ;D
I respect those that choose not to have kids...
I also respect the fact they don't because I think some of the throw away kids come from those never wanting... but had anyway...
That makes me sick... If you don;t want cool... but don't have anyway... unless you are like Morg and have a change of heart.
-
Don't Have Any...
Way too young for it, hehe, just turned 18.
But all in all i love kids.
i've watched them my whole life, all little cousins and such.
and my aunts and uncles have made sure to make more and more too.. feh..
hehe
most are lots of work, but it depends on how you raise them.
my one uncles kids are fabulous. like perfect almost.
good manors, loving, kind, smart. they are 3, 11, and 1
but my other uncle... his kids are maniacs, loud, obnoxious, annoying, mean, they bite, pinch and pull.
i love em, but get keep distance.. after a while.
they are now 6 and 8
and act just the same as they did at 2 and 4...
when and if you have kids, just make sure to do it the right way. be good with them and in return the results are great.
When i get married, i'd like only one kid.
easier to manage, and there is no possibility for cibling rivalry...lol
-
Kids, huh? Have 'em? No. Want 'em? No. Despise 'em? No.
Patty and I don't plan on ever having kids. Neither of us are interested in being parents really, and for some odd reason we just don't have any of those fraternal or maternal instincts built into us. Everyone says that's very strange, especially for Patty, and like Brent's mentioning to Carrie - most everyone we know says that we'll eventually have a change of heart, or Patty's "clock will start ticking", etc., and that we'll finally pump a couple of 'em out.
Not gonna happen. I guess we're just pretty selfish really, and don't want to spend the time constantly caring for and being concerned about another life(s). It's definitely not the norm, we realize, but that's our plan. We don't want to have to look after little ones, we want to be "free" to do whatever we want without making all of our plans revolve around the kids, we want to be able to pack up and bail to wherever at a moment's notice, we don't want to deal with the overall stress and financial obligation of raising children. I need all of that money for my Star Wars collection dammit! :P
I think we'll more than likely be the only couple in our various circles of friends who won't ever wind up having kids. Most of our friends already do, and oddly enough, we just found out about an hour ago that the only other couple that wasn't planning on having any, just got pregnant. Go figure... :-\ It can (and will) be pretty tough when we get together for social functions and such, where all people do is talk about their kids. I think we'll feel a little left out in that respect.
There's also definitely a feeling of guilt when it comes down to not providing either of our sets of parents with grandkids. That hurts pretty bad sometimes, especially when our only two siblings (my sister, Patty's brother) don't look like they're going to be having kids any time soon. So the sense of obligation to provide some is a little disheartening, but none of our parents give us any grief over it of course. They've come to understand now that it's just not in our game plan. Not to mention I absolutely can't stand the poopy diapers, the drooling, the spitting up, and the general all around mess of young tikes. My meticulous and perfectionist personality just can't really deal with all that "stuff"!
But "feeling left out" and "feeling guilty for the lack of grandkids" are just obviously not good enough reasons to go and create a human life or two. Though we don't mind other people's kids (usually), we're just not kid people ourselves...
What's funny is that I have bets with almost all of my guy buddies that I'll wind up having kids sometime before I'm in my late 30's, or so. I stand to win a fair amount of cash, and a TON of free beer if I stick with the plan and not have any little ones, thus winning many a bet with the fellas!
I think we're just going to settle for being "dog people"... 8)
-
I have two children and they are the joy of my life. Since one is now in college and the other a senior in high school, I've already been through "the stages" ;).
Was it tough? Hell yes, teen peer pressure is much worse than the terrible two's. We all survived because our children were raised to mind their manners, have respect for others and most important - Respect for themselves.
We have been continually told be family, friends and co-workers how lucky we are to have children that are social butterfiles but never fell to peer pressure and rose above a lot of conflicts to be leaders in their class and community. My reply has always been the same; "luck-hell, it's called being involved with your kids".
In short, my kids are my life and though I didn't choose this path, I give thanks everyday for them. (Besides, I'm still a kid at heart and playing Barbies, GI Joe, X-men and all that with them wasn't a job, it was like winning the lottery!! :D ).
-
Matt,
I have to clarify. I'm not trying to suggest that Patty'c or CC's "biological clock" will be or is ticking. I'm only suggesting that when my wife told me she wanted a kid, you could have pretty much knocked me over with a feather. I was pleased but completely blown away. OUt of the blue.
It will be tough, not having kids when all the other couples in social circles do. That is an excellent observation. Their lives will focus on their kids activities (they HAVE to) and their schedules will be largely dictated by them. One thing we've done is start going to social outings solo. One or the other goes and behaves as an adult. Or, on the rare occasions when we get a sitter, we try not to talk about the kid, though that seems to be the focus for adult conversation.
And should you lose your mind (and money and beer) just remember they are a great way to justify the purchase of even more toys. ;)
-
Our son Max is 16 months old and has been the absolute joy of our lives. I guess the thought never croseed either of our lives that we never would have children and having Max makes me want to have around 3-4 more they are that much fun. I can say that now because I have a long way to go until the onset of teenagitis.
The unsolicited hugs, the fact that he missed me immensly last week and kept saying "daddy, daddy" all week just melts my heart.
All that being said I also am a firm believer in population control and the site of families of 8 kids rolling out of beat up sedans or vans just chaps my hide. Which is why I don't think we will have more than 2 kids. Education on birth control should begin as early as can deemed socially acceptable and it really needs to start happening soon. Ignoring thw whole problem by saying there is no place in public education is beyond asinine. Part of me almost wishes for a sterilization program :-\
-
I am getting married in November. We plan on having kids in a year or two. I am much better with kids now probably because I am 29. Back when I was in my teens and early twenties I certainly did not want a thing to do with having my own. Now it seems like the natural thing to do. I look forward to it. I am sure there will be plenty of days when it gets tiring or insane but still think it will primarily be great. It will probably end my Star Wars collecting for the most part. Just saving money for the wedding and honeymoon has. Then it will be saving for a house and then the kids will take it all. LOL!
-
Matt,
I have to clarify. I'm not trying to suggest that Patty'c or CC's "biological clock" will be or is ticking. I'm only suggesting that when my wife told me she wanted a kid, you could have pretty much knocked me over with a feather. I was pleased but completely blown away. Out of the blue.
I know that's not what you were saying Brent. I didn't mean to make it sound like that. We just hear that from a LOT of people is all... Either that, or just that we'll just finally come to our senses with the realization some day that we've changed our minds all of the sudden, and are ready to join in with everyone else and have a family. But I seriously doubt that'll ever happen...
And should you lose your mind (and money and beer) just remember they are a great way to justify the purchase of even more toys. ;)
Not if you don't plan to let your kids actually play with your "toys", it's not! ;D :-* Couldn't you just picture this from my kids:
Sorry Daddy, I really tried to put Lobot right back in the same display spot. Really, I did! Please don't punish me again... :P
-
Have kids? No
Want kids? Absolutely not
Despise kids? Yes
I've never met a kid I liked. Kids get on my nerves, make me nervous, are too unpredictable and active, they're too needy and they remind me of human leeches. I also dont want kids because I know I'd be a sh!tty parent. I think its a pain in the ass to take care of the pets, much less a human being. What's weird is, because Im not a prick about it, or openly hateful towards kids, they actually cling to me and really like to be around me. Which makes me more nauseated.
Hell, I dont even want to get married. I really dont even want a girlfriend.
Holy crap, I've posted here over 400 times? My god, how time flies.......
-
How do you really feel Adam? ;D ;)
-
Well if you REALLY want to know........ ;)
I can only imagine, if I substituted at elementary schools, there probably wouldnt be a dry eye in the classroom. I pretty much despise about 95% of teenagers I meet as well.
Actually, now that I think about it, I probably hate more people than I like :)
-
Actually, now that I think about it, I probably hate more people than I like :)
Same here.
But I can't wait to have kids. The wife knows it, my parents know it and anyone who asks will know it. All the wife has to do is give me the word and it will be done ;) Hopefully within the next couple of years, we'll get started (or sooner).
I even have toys for them already - four of the SW Playskool sets. When I showed the wife, she just ::) . I soon found out from one of her co-workers that she actually loves them and are one some of her favorite items in my collection.
-
Ive known since I was a teenager that I do not want to be a parent. I don't have much patience for children (especially brats or other badly-behaved kids) and am rather uncomfortable around them. I never know what to say or do with them. Perhaps it is because I did not grow up with kids younger than me around. But I digress....
My husband and I have been blissfully kid-free for 5 years, but ever since his sister had a baby this year, the subject keeps creeping into our conversations. I think he's changed his mind about kids, but knows I don't want any so he doesnt push the topic too hard.
Sometimes, after watching :"Adoption Story" or "Family Story" on the Discovery Channel, I catch myself thinking, "How bad could it be?" and then I see the neighbor's uncontrollable, noisy and destructive brats and think, "That bad!"
I believe my biological clock is wired backwards.
-Karma
-
Sometimes, after watching :"Adoption Story" or "Family Story" on the Discovery Channel, I catch myself thinking, "How bad could it be?" and then I see the neighbor's uncontrollable, noisy and destructive brats and think, "That bad!"
-Karma
Please pardon my arrogance, but you get the kids you make, so to speak. If you never control them, reprimand, discipline or whatever, that's what you end up with. Our daughter knows what she can and cannot get away with.
Was out in Vancouver back in May visiting my sister, she of the two continuously chocolate powered daughters. They're ok kids, but not what I consider well behaved and they whine and are horribly spoiled. I was out with my daughter and my wife came a few days later. I pretty much keep constant watch on my daughter (from a distance where possible, she does need to develop some independence, even at 3) and when she did something wrong (i.e. impolite, bad, rude, mean, etc.) I was pretty much on her immediately. She gets a warning with an explanation and if it continues, punishment via taking away what she's playing with, going in the house, etc.
As we're driving back from the park my sister says to me "so,you're the strict parent right?" The answer was nope, I'm the laid back one ;D I think she swallowed her gum.
Anyway, the moral of the story is kids are hyper, do stupid annoying things and basically need to learn. That's called growing up. Destructive, abusive and rude are not part of that process. Ya get back what ya put into it.
I think some of y'all are missing the point though ;) Kids are great reasons to behave like a kid. Go skipping, play on the slide or swings. Play with action figures (Matt, buy three of each: one carded, one loose, mint complete and one for the kid - you get bonus weapons/accessories), watch Episode II over and over and over again, especially the arena scene ;D
IN case you can't tell, I'm real happy to have a kid. Tons o work, but what a hoot!
-
Play with action figures (Matt, buy three of each: one carded, one loose, mint complete and one for the kid - you get bonus weapons/accessories)
I usually do buy 3+ of each, with the extras going towards dioramas, army building, or future custom fodder.
If my kids (that I'll never have) wanted to play with some of my action figures, they can just go get a job and buy a set for themselves! Who cares if they're under 10 years old! :o 8)
BTW Brent, we'll have to teach you one of these days how to use the quote function here. :P Your text goes outside the quoted portion that you were using for Karma's quote, lest the entire post looks like a giant quote from Karen, and nothing from you... See how that works? I went ahead and fixed it for you above though... :-*
-
I think people tend to forget they were once kids...
I totally agree w/ Morg kids are products of their enviroments. If they are let to be animals then that's how they'll act... their kids.
I admint that mine are spoiled and can act up... but they are kids and no matter how hard I try they will do that at times.
I know many more adults that act a helluva lot worse than some kids I have seen... and are far more spoiled than many kids I have seen. Kids are what makes this world keep on going... If we all just said screw this and got sterilized boy Mr. Planet Earth would die off a fast quick death huh...
Do we all realize we drove our parents nuts one at one time... and probably had the next man say look at that brat?
I wonder if some that hate children as much as they do are just that caught up in themselves... or have something inside that makes them feel as such...
I can see not wanting children... but hating? I hate many adults... but that is because adult has his or her own mind to know what they are doing...
Children can get annoying... hell I have experience w/ three of my own. You just have to realize that at the end of the day they are kids.
They are like Morg said a way to be a kid again yourself. You can act a fool w/ them, play in the backyard w/ your 100+ Stormtroopers, etc...
I love mine and will til the die I or they die... Whichever may come first...
-
Good Lord... (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=541&ncid=751&e=9&u=/ap/20040525/ap_on_he_me/fifteen_kids) 15?!? :o This lady's insane.
Here's a few of the little buggers...
(http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20040525/capt.nyet25505251409.fifteen_kids_nyet255.jpg)
-
been married 3 and a half years and still no kids for me.
-
No, kids here. I like kids a lot, even have a degree in early childhood education (that I don't really use). I just have never really wanted any of my own. I suppose if the situation were right, I might think about it. But, right now, I don't see any children in my future except for my nieces and nephews who keep me more than busy.
-
(http://members.xoom.virgilio.it/pino22/immaginicelebries/b%20Ramsey%20anne.jpg)
Kids suck.
('Cept my niece. . .) :)
-
Never wanted or liked kids when I was younger, but when I got into my 30s, something clicked and I started to actually like other people's kids and want some of my own. Now we have a 6-month old and the world is a different place because of it. I have absolutely no alone time (except for at work), no more sleeping in at all, and my worry level is at a constant high, but when I come home from work and I get that big toothless smile from our little girl, welcoming me home, those things seem like nothing. :)
btw- Virex, your sig. quote is hilarious. I think I recognize that quote from a certain movie addict in this thread (http://threads.rebelscum.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=830907&page=4&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=10&vc=1). It made me laugh then, and still makes me laugh now.
-
I hope those of you who know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you do NOT want children have yourselves spayed or neutered. Better safe than sorry, right folks?
-
I can't fathom having 15 kids...2 is hard enough already, 15???
My buddy is going for the record I think, his wife had a baby in November, she's due again in September, quick work!
I think we are done at 2...haven't scheduled any snip snips yet but I don't see us having another (that is unless a year or so from now we get a couple of bottles of wine and see where the night progresses again)
When's your wife due John?
-
When's your wife due John?
September 14th, according to our last visit. Snips will follow shotly thereafter. We're good at three. 8)
-
btw- Virex, your sig. quote is hilarious. I think I recognize that quote from a certain movie addict in this thread (http://threads.rebelscum.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=830907&page=4&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=10&vc=1). It made me laugh then, and still makes me laugh now.
Well, thanks.
Probably one of the most bizarre things I think I've read over the past couple of years.
-
Sounds like there's been some new babies around JD the last several months. How's everyone adapting?
Still a big NO on 'em on our end. ;)
-
Two dogs is more than I can handle.
Besides, the cost of a kid would mean no more SW collecting. I've got my priorities here!
-
I want a son, for a very selfish reason. I am the last male with my last name on my family tree, who's in the market to have kids in the future. No pressure eh? I love kids, they are a ball. My sisters who I raised (druggie mother and stepfather) have grown to be little angels, and I'm working on turning my cousin Dale Jr. into a little Star Wars fan. :)
Kevin
-
Sounds like there's been some new babies around JD the last several months. How's everyone adapting?
Still a big NO on 'em on our end. ;)
Is that "no" coming from you or the wife?
I want kids, BTW. 3 or 4 would be nice.
-
Well we find out the sex of our 2nd one in a few weeks and I dont know what is killing me more. Waiting for this or E3 ;D
-
Still no.
I can't stand the smell of diapers, clean or dirty.
Besides that, I'm simply far too selfish of a person to adequately raise a child, and if there's one thing the world doesn't need, it's more lousy parents.
-
I have one three-year old boy, and he's great. Alot of work, but worth every minute of it.
To top it off, he not only loves SW, but can name virtually every major and many minor characters, and has a collection of about 100 figures. Most of them are vintage, too - including several POTF. He loves the vinty stuff more than modern, which makes me proud. He wears a Vader helmet all the time, and the two of us have lightsaber fights all the time too.
I'm actually getting the urge for #2.
Ian
-
One (a boy) on the way. Due at the end of July.
-
My tally of daughters just hit two with the birth of our second on March 3. Her big sister (only 16 months older) thinks she's the most fascinating thing since velcro.
This'll probably be it for me and the wife. Our lack of space for even two kids is alarming at best, and I don't see us getting a bigger place anytime soon. Plus, though my better half is only just 30, I'm getting pretty long in the tooth and am older now than either of my parents were when they had me; and only my Dad's still around. However, the itch to have another baby may come again without warning!
-
Well my son is 5 months old today. He's great! Glad I had one and won't mind having another one some day. The only thing I wish would change is him waking up at night or in the early morning hours. For the most part I am used to it now.
Life has changed but we still hang out with friends and I still get to collect Star Wars. Although not at the pace I once did. You just get used to not doing what you want whenever you want to.
Definately have to tend to the little guy first and foremost and then if there is time remaining I can do what I want to. But it's been great so far. To tell you truth I don't miss whatever it was that I was doing before he was born.
Yes, if you don't want to have a kid then don't have one. They are a lot of work that is for sure. I don't know how single parents do it. My wife and I help each other quite a bit.
Anyway, we adjusted just fine I believe.
-
Man, before I had my son, I was a total wreck. Stressed out with work, my marriage was going nowhere, and I think I was "officially" depressed - you know, at the point of medication.
Then I find out we're pregnant and I became REALLY stressed out. "How am I going to deal with this?" "Will I find a decent daycare?" "Can I afford this?" The worries went on and on.
Boy, I tell you what, having him was the BEST thing I ever did. I don't worry about work anymore - I leave it there. I don't stress out over the little things cuz I only have one thing to worry about - a 35 lb turkey who loves tractors and Bacca (2 year old slang for Chewbacca) ;D
And my marriage is a whole lot better! We don't fight anymore (rarely, I should say) and we spend more time together because of him.
I come home from work and he's there to give me a hug - sure makes the ****** day at work go away real quick. Breaks my heart when he comes up to me and says "Watch Bacca?" (means he wants to watch Star Wars).
It's really cool to have a son who likes Star Wars and wants to play together with my toys!
Yeah, it's a lot of work, hell, he threw up on me Saturday night - pizza all over the place. And yes, I cleaned it up and it didn't bother me at all. What did bother me was the fact that my wife was out on the town that night while I was home with a sick kid... ;)
You know what though, I'd rather be home taking care of him than be anywhere else in the world - no doubt about it.
-
We're still very much on the "no" side of the fence for now (after 4+ years of marriage), but if Travis keeps this up, I may be inclined to go home and knock the Mrs. up! :P
-
I may be inclined to go home and knock the Mrs. up! :P
Too much information.
-
I come home from work and he's there to give me a hug - sure makes the ****** day at work go away real quick.
My daughter turns five on Thursday ;D
-
We're still very much on the "no" side of the fence for now (after 4+ years of marriage), but if Travis keeps this up, I may be inclined to go home and knock the Mrs. up! :P
Matt, your still in the honeymoon stage ;) Give it a few years. My wife and I were together for 8 years before we had our first.
Like everyone else mentioned. You could never imagine life without your little one once you have one. Its the hardest job you'll ever love. And the most rewarding.
-
Matt, your still in the honeymoon stage ;) Give it a few years. My wife and I were together for 8 years before we had our first.
Hell, I'm 34 now Jim. I'll be shooting blanks soon! :P
[DSJ]Too much information![/DSJ]
In all honesty though, we just really don't think we're ever going to want them. Patty just turned 30, and I figured now that all of her friends were having kids, she'd finally change her mind and want some too. But it never happened, and to the contrary, it seems to have actually just reinforced her desire not to have any. We're just not "kid people". I guess we're just missing that parental gene that most everyone else has...
Of course, everyone always tells us, just wait 'til Patty's biological clock starts ticking, and then you'll be toast! ;)
We'll see. Like I said, I'll likely be shooting blanks by then though...
-
My wife was 35 when Sydney was born. Until around 33 4/5 she was adamant about not wanting kids. You've still got time :P
-
:)
Another reason to have kids, (a boy at least) is to carry on the family name.
I am the last one in my family tree to keep the name going - thank god I had a boy!
Just food for thought JediMac - You may not have a choice! ;)
-
My wife and I were married last August and we'll have our first baby, a boy, this June. I'm looking forward to being a dad. My dad was 32 when I was born. I'll be 33 when my little guy is born.
-
Just make sure the protection you use actually works. LOL! My wife was off the pill one day and that was that. We were going to try soon anyway but it still was a surprise.
-
Honeymoon baby, Jack? That's cool. Congrats, and good luck!
Just food for thought JediMac - You may not have a choice! ;)
Yeah, that thought makes me a tad nervous sometimes, but I don't think she'd ever do anything overly sneaky like that. But maybe it's best to abstain from now on, just in case... :P
We've actually recently discussed what we'd do if there was some kind of "accident", and we somehow mistakenly conceived, and I was quite surprised and startled to hear Patty say we'd be sticking with it and having (and keeping) the baby, since there must've been some type of intervening higher power that made it happen for a reason. I guess I'm cool with that though. I think... Maybe. Uh... Where's Travis' first post at again?!? :-X
-
We've actually recently discussed what we'd do if there was some kind of "accident", and we somehow mistakenly conceived, and I was quite surprised and startled to hear Patty say we'd be sticking with it and having (and keeping) the baby, since there must've been some type of intervening higher power that made it happen for a reason. I guess I'm cool with that though. I think... Maybe. Uh... Where's Travis' first post at again?!? :-X
You are (pardon the pun) screwed. No offense and I highly doubt Patty would ever do anything sneaky (she's too old for that kind of crap), but geez, you're a guy, it's not like your opinion really matters anyway. That sort of mentality is just so familiar since I've heard it all before from Jackie before she changed her mind about having kids. It's just the first crack in the armor is all.
It's not all bad Matt, it's just scary as hell. ;)
-
Honeymoon baby, Jack? That's cool. Congrats, and good luck!
Thanks. It was sort of a honeymoon baby. My wife was pregnant about a month after we were married. I was glad to find out I'm not shooting blanks.
-
My wife was convinced we were going to need fertility drugs and all that since her sister mis-carried twice and it took her sister a long time to get pregnant. I guess some other cousins had problems like that. Nope, one night without the pill and presto! My little guys knew where to go. Or at least one did :)
-
I have two daughters, 5 and 1 1/2. Every day I am reminded of the awsome responsability it is being a parent and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I look at it as my way of having some part in shaping the future of man-kind. ;)
-
JediMAC,
I think you misconstrued my earlier post.
My comment about "not having a choice" was in regards to carrying on the family name, not sabotage!
-
JediMAC,
I think you misconstrued my earlier post.
My comment about "not having a choice" was in regards to carrying on the family name, not sabotage!
Ah. OK, Trav. Guess my interpretation there was just based my usual paranoia on the sabotage thought then... ;)
Yeah, bummer that we won't be able to contribute to the family name thing though. But my cousin's already got that covered, so I guess I'm cool...
-
On my birthday, my 7 yr old son made the honor roll at his school. His first report card with straight As. What is remarkable about this feat is that as recently as Thanksgiving, his behavior problems (acting up in class, fighting) had led him to the brink of being expelled (a 7 yr old!). Took him to a kid shrink, dosed him up with ADHD meds, and now he can focus and control his impulses. Fortunately, the meds don't zone him out like a lot of kids. He actually thinks clearly and calmly for the first time in his school career.
It's not easy, but it's worth it. I wouldn't trade being a dad for anything else.
-
All that being said I also am a firm believer in population control and the site of families of 8 kids rolling out of beat up sedans or vans just chaps my hide. Which is why I don't think we will have more than 2 kids. Education on birth control should begin as early as can deemed socially acceptable and it really needs to start happening soon. Ignoring thw whole problem by saying there is no place in public education is beyond asinine. Part of me almost wishes for a sterilization program :-\
I think we are pretty much decided that two is all we're going to do, at the end of every week we're about drained of every ounce of energy we have and the boyos haven't even begun starting to get involved in activities yet. That said, I love them to death and I know we'd love a 3rd Bambino just as much, I just don't think we want to or are interested in doing so.
My boss is a huge "I'm never going to have kids" sort of guy though which made me think of this thread. Its sometimes a tough situation to deal with because he has no idea of what is expected at home vs what sort of time commitment he thinks should be made at the office. I've gotten in a trouble a few times with him over that time issue which is an odd situation to be in and he can be very two faced about it...one minute saying how he respects the hell out of me for doing so and the next expecting me to be at work at 6 in the morning sort of thing
-
Yup, those without kids definitely can't relate to what sort of commitment they require. Wait'll they're in school Scott. Oy.
Guess it's time for a snip :-X