How many children - Page 3

Sheryl · 10-21-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords

Dr. Phil had an interesting comment the other day: "You can't quit parenthood." Apparently it's a life sentence with no time off for good behavior.

If only that were true! Social services and jails are full of people whose parents quit or never really started parenting.

J-Lu · 10-21-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mb

With 1 kid you can double-team them
With 2 it's man-to-man
With 3 you have to go to a zone D

This made me chuckle, and I will have to share it with DH the sports nut. In about 3 weeks we will be having our 2nd (another boy). DH has expressed that he really wants a girl. But I think we should see how we handle "man-to-man" before moving into zone D.

haha · 10-21-2006, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Lu

This made me chuckle, and I will have to share it with DH the sports nut. In about 3 weeks we will be having our 2nd (another boy). DH has expressed that he really wants a girl. But I think we should see how we handle "man-to-man" before moving into zone D.

My mother wanted a girl. She got one on #4. My brothers and I often joked that it's a good thing she didn't come earlier, or we wouldn't have existed.

Still, from their POV it was a worth it. A daughter is good to have, I would like one also. My sister was more helpful to our parents as they aged than any of their sons (including me) were.

Ha

**Gumby** · 10-21-2006, 03:33 PM

When we first got married (at 25 and 23 yrs old), we thought we would. But then there was the need to finish out my Navy obligation, grad school for her, law school for me, new careers to get started, etc. etc. One day, we woke up and realized we were in our mid-thirties, childless and enjoying life that way. So we never did.

We do have 8 nephews and a niece. Every summer for the past 19 years we have had them come (one or two at a time) to stay with us for a week in the summer. It is fun, but exhausting, and my respect for my bother and sister increases each time. The young wife is also a schoolteacher, which surrounds her with children every day.

Mr._johngalt · 10-21-2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumby

When we first got married (at 25 and 23 yrs old), we thought we would. But then there was the need to finish out my Navy obligation, grad school for her, law school for me, new careers to get started, etc. etc. One day, we woke up and realized we were in our mid-thirties, childless and enjoying life that way. So we never did.

We do have 8 nephews and a niece. Every summer for the past 19 years we have had them come (one or two at a time) to stay with us for a week in the summer. It is fun, but exhausting, and my respect for my bother and sister increases each time. The young wife is also a schoolteacher, which surrounds her with children every day.

My oldest daughter has 5 kids, the oldest is 8. She is 35 and home
schools. Honestly, I don't see how she does it.

JG

kjpliny · 10-22-2006, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheryl

My Dream - I took me a long time to stop saying, "I'm just selfish" when asked why I didn't want kids, so your statement jumped out at me. I finally realized that there is nothing selfish about choosing the lifestyle that is right for me. I don't think it was selfish of you to wait until you were ready for kids to have them, it was smart. You gave a lot of really good reasons for your decision.

The "selfish" statement jumped out at me as well...one can think that being childfree is unselfish in that there will be fewer people on the planet consuming resources and contributing to the overpopulation problem (Hmm, let's all move to India!).

How many times have you heard a young woman say "I want a baby" even though they don't really have the means or skills to properly raise that child...I'd say that person is more selfish than someone who decides being childfree is better for them. It's all a matter of perspective.

Khan · 10-22-2006, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjpliny

The "selfish" statement jumped out at me as well...one can think that being childfree is unselfish in that there will be fewer people on the planet consuming resources and contributing to the overpopulation problem (Hmm, let's all move to India!).

How many times have you heard a young woman say "I want a baby" even though they don't really have the means or skills to properly raise that child...I'd say that person is more selfish than someone who decides being childfree is better for them. It's all a matter of perspective.

I wonder if anyone ever says: "I want surly, snarling, hormone-infused 15 year old."?

Nords · 10-22-2006, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khan

I wonder if anyone ever says: "I want surly, snarling, hormone-infused 15 year old."?

There are plenty of them on the market, and their prices are a lot lower...

. . . Yrs to Go · 10-22-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjpliny

The "selfish" statement jumped out at me as well...

"Selfish"

Sounds like the sour-grapes of a disgruntled parent who envies the lifestyle choice of the childless childFREE.

Oldbabe · 10-22-2006, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr._johngalt

I'll tell you......those "ankle biters" are horribly costly, but my kids are more
important to me than anything. Made a lot of mistakes in my life, but having my
kids was 100% right. Not having children would have been a tragedy
in my case.

JG

How great to read this! I feel exactly the same about mine, two sons, 36, 24, and a daughter, 20. My children are the best part of my life.

Alex · 10-22-2006, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3 Yrs to Go

"Selfish"

Sounds like the sour-grapes of a disgruntled-parent who envies the lifestyle choice of the childless.

ahem, lets at least get this right, it's not Child"less" it is Child"FREE".

Sheryl · 10-22-2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

ahem, lets at least get this right, it's not Child"less" it is Child"FREE".

Exactly what I was going to say, Alex.

GMTA.

. . . Yrs to Go · 10-22-2006, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

ahem, lets at least get this right, it's not Child"less" it is Child"FREE".

Mea maxima culpa.

Arif · 10-23-2006, 07:44 AM

Wow this poll really surprised me. So far there are more people here with no kids than there are people with 1 AND 3 or more put together. We were close to opting not to have kids. Deciding to go for it after a six month deployment (those deployments will do that to you) and it was the best decision we ever made. You mileage may vary...

Nords · 10-23-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arif

Deciding to go for it after a six month deployment (those deployments will do that to you) and it was the best decision we ever made.

Well, deployments, sure, and choosing to have the kids with your spouse is a good idea too!

**Gumby** · 10-23-2006, 07:50 PM

After I returned from the first deployment following my marriage, the young wife commanded me to strip on the porch. I thought things were realy looking up at that point, but it was just because my clothes reeked with that peculiar submarine smell. I was immediately ordered to the shower -- alone.

FinanceDude · 10-23-2006, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewer12345

Excuses, excuses...

DO you have kids??

My Dream · 10-24-2006, 07:20 AM

I have friends where the husband swore he would never have kids, no way, no how never, after 15 years of marriage, they now have 2 kids, and when I asked him about it, he didn't say much other than he loves his kids. For those of you that have kids, most say it has changed them for the better, for those that chose not to....most say, it was the right decision. Like I said before having a conversation about whether to be kid less or not is a VERY sensitive subject.

MD

View Poll Results: How many children do you have or plan to have?
0	50	36.23%
1	16	11.59%
2	52	37.68%
3	11	7.97%
4	3	2.17%
5-6	5	3.62%
7+	1	0.72%
Voters: 138. You may not vote on this poll

10-21-2006, 03:33 PM	#44
Gumby Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,808	Re: How many children When we first got married (at 25 and 23 yrs old), we thought we would. But then there was the need to finish out my Navy obligation, grad school for her, law school for me, new careers to get started, etc. etc. One day, we woke up and realized we were in our mid-thirties, childless and enjoying life that way. So we never did. We do have 8 nephews and a niece. Every summer for the past 19 years we have had them come (one or two at a time) to stay with us for a week in the summer. It is fun, but exhausting, and my respect for my bother and sister increases each time. The young wife is also a schoolteacher, which surrounds her with children every day. __________________ You should not assume that I have a clue about anything I post. If you need a lawyer, go get your own.

10-23-2006, 07:44 AM	#54
Arif Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 661	Re: How many children Wow this poll really surprised me. So far there are more people here with no kids than there are people with 1 AND 3 or more put together. We were close to opting not to have kids. Deciding to go for it after a six month deployment (those deployments will do that to you) and it was the best decision we ever made. You mileage may vary... __________________ You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.

10-23-2006, 07:50 PM	#56
Gumby Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,808	Re: How many children After I returned from the first deployment following my marriage, the young wife commanded me to strip on the porch. I thought things were realy looking up at that point, but it was just because my clothes reeked with that peculiar submarine smell. I was immediately ordered to the shower -- alone. __________________ You should not assume that I have a clue about anything I post. If you need a lawyer, go get your own.

10-24-2006, 07:20 AM	#58
My Dream Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 372	Re: How many children I have friends where the husband swore he would never have kids, no way, no how never, after 15 years of marriage, they now have 2 kids, and when I asked him about it, he didn't say much other than he loves his kids. For those of you that have kids, most say it has changed them for the better, for those that chose not to....most say, it was the right decision. Like I said before having a conversation about whether to be kid less or not is a VERY sensitive subject. MD __________________ Newbie

10-24-2006, 07:40 AM	#59
Mr._johngalt Full time employment: Posting here.