Children - Do You Want Them Or Not?

Society as a whole would benefit from my gene pool being expanded.

 

I have two kids (6 yo son and a soon to be 3 yo daughter). I love having my kids but I wish that I had more time with my wife. We do not get much help from anyone so we rarely have time for each other. I got fixed after our daughter was born so there is no way we are having more kids (thank you Jesus). I wouldnt give my kids away for the world and you couldnt give me the world to have another.

Carry on.

 

I can't encourage people enough to have children. I have a daughter, Elizabeth (5) and a son Preston (8) and they are the light of my life. I've learned so much about life from them that words could not describe it. They have enriched my life so much and watching them grow is the greatest thrill in the world. I don't care about how much money I've spent on diapers, parochial school, football helmets, toys, college funds and the like, because it was all worth it. Have kids, you will end up being reward richly.

 

Yeah I reread that and thought, wow, I sound like a big jackass. Therefore the edit. If you are going to have kids, I suggest not waiting until you are older because they are a lot of work. I cant imagine starting now much less when you are pushing 40. I will be 42 when my youngest graduates from high school and that makes me smile.

 

Not until I'm financially secure.

 

This will be my wife's eigth year as a public school teacher. She is 31 and wants her tubes tied.

 

Not having kids certainly made life easier and cheaper as well as more intimate for my wife and me. Frankly I just don't see how anyone can afford a house, two cars, insurance, schools, orthodontist, a college fund and still save for their own retirement.
I guess historically one reason people have a a lot of children is to provide for them in their old age...so you better be good to the children you do have.

I was a pretty strong believer in 'zero population growth' during my peak reproductive years , but when I got over 40 and had enough money and time for children I sorta reconsidered. Luckily the Mrs. said "too late'. Now I can just spoil my neices and nephews when I see them and lay around in my underwear the rest of the time (figurativly speaking)

 

We certainly want kids in the near future. We kept putting it off waiting for various temporary circumstances to change but there will always be something coming up. I agree that there are a lot of kids that need to be adopted, so we're hoping to adopt as well as have our own. I'm sure we'll keep you posted...

 

Thank every possible deity, no.

 

I can't wait till I have kids.

I will finally feel completely accomplished when I have a family.

 

Awesome, dude! You sound like you're a really good father who loves his kids. Rock on!

 

I think there was a similar thread a while ago. The "love children crowd" were a lot more enthusiastic then.

Anyway, my two cents: Nothing makes you mature (and less self-centered) faster than being a parent. (There are exceptions, of course.)

 

could me in.

 

It can be done. Trust me.

 

For those of you who'd like to avoid unwanted pregnancy, I recommend the pooper.

 

I'm like Mrs. JB - never have gotten the maternal instinct yet (keep waiting for it to kick in), and end up getting down to the kids' level when I can get away with it. I was never a big sister or a babysitter; just a big cousin. And that's what I may be doomed to act like. I knew how to get kids to follow me around and teach them how to get in trouble without getting caught.

I used to say I would have to think about it when I was 30. But that's only a year and a half away. May put that off a little bit longer.

We're not financially in any position to support anyone else. Nor are we mature enough to be parents. We're married so at least it would be legitimate, and my husband can't find a job so at least there would be automatic child care. On the other hand, my salary just doesn't go that far. I also hope we learn how to communicate and get along better; else I wonder if we should even have kids together. (sorry, just being honest)

In spite of all that, I'm sure they're rewarding and would like to think I could get there someday... if I was ever actually willing to grow up and not be so self-centered...

 

I'd love to have children one day, but I once read an article (don't remember where) that said it is usually a good idea to have a wife first, so....

Question: Can you give the children back when they hit high school?