Im 26, I still having fun and stuff but there are reflection moments when I start thinking about my future…you know, wife, kids, family, hard working… Im a dog lover and I think I can share all my life just with them, no engagements, etc.
What do you think? In which side are you? :smack:
I’m not on any side. I have both a dog and two kids. I had neither at 26 or 30 or 35 and didn’t want either at that time. At 36 I got a dog, and then at 38 and again at 40 we had our two daughters. If you want kids or pets, have 'em. If you don’t, don’t. Don’t have children because you think it’s something you’re “supposed” to do.
Dogs are great, and after several not so great relationships, I would prefer my dog to another relationship, at this point. I think you could have both, if you met the right person.
Not a kid person, never wanted them. I’m okay if they visit from time to time but it’s always good when they go home.
I much prefer animals, but quiet ones. My greyhounds are quiet, my cat occasionally goes “eep”. When we found the snake in the drawer I fell in love with him.
My husband and I picked dogs. We like kids and assumed when we married that we’d eventually have them, but gradually came to the conclusion that we thought we’d be happiest staying childless. With that said, we do enjoy our nieces and nephews, and spoiling our best friends’ little boy is my favorite hobby. I am happy with our life decisions, but if we had gone the other way I likely would have been happy with that too. If you were my nephew and asked me for advice, I’d say get yourself launched in a career first, then look for a life partner who brings out the best in you, then think about the kid thing. Oh, and always have dogs, because life is not worth living without dogs. 
Definitely dogs!
This is odd. They aren’t mutually exclusive you know; there is no “side”.
Plenty of people have dogs and kids. Plenty of people have only one or the other. Plenty of people have neither.
It’s like asking someone if they like singing in the shower or eating roast potatoes. Quick, pick a side! 
(no kids, and have dogs, but the two facts are completely unrelated)
Just remember that society frowns on putting your kids in the kennel when you go off on vacation.
I have dogs, cats and a kid. I’m 47 and I’m still having fun and stuff.
I’d be the first person to tell you not to have kids because it’s expected of you. Do it because being a parent is something you really want.
If you’re lukewarm about the idea, don’t go there. They’re a lot of work and very expensive, and you don’t know how they’re going to turn out, despite your best efforts and most fervent hopes.
I’ve been pretty happy having just dogs, though they can be expensive and a lot of work sometimes too.
Dogs. All the way. They are cleaner, cheaper, less stinky, and if you fuck up and they die, you probably won’t go to jail.
Dogs. A million times over dogs.
I never pictured myself as a “dad” guy until I actually had a son. And while I still am a dad, I do miss caring for them when they were little.
You know, when they are still young enough they think you’re the coolest dude ever. And making them laugh was a piece of cake.
Dogs. They are always happy to see you, always eager to do anything with you, and obedience class is a lot cheaper than college. Plus dog owners tend to be healthier and live longer than non-dog-owners.
I’ve seen a lot of surveys indicating people who are childless by choice are happier at all life stages than people who had children. Don’t have any unless you REALLY want some. Plenty of people on the planet already.
I have two kids and a dog, and I would say this about both. Of course, I’m currently dealing with a dog that has had to have two surgeries in the last year and also developed some behavioral problems out of the blue.
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I’ve seen a lot of surveys indicating people who are childless by choice are happier at all life stages than people who had children. Don’t have any unless you REALLY want some. Plenty of people on the planet already.
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Some studies say childfree people are happier; some say once other things are factored out, there isn’t much difference; some say that childfree couples have better relationships but aren’t necessarily happier in their lives overall. Honestly, happiness seems like a very subjective thing to try and compare.
My kids bring me more joy than anything else in my life, but I am under no illusion that this would be true for everyone. It’s all going to depend on the person. Marriage, kids, dogs…each person is going to have to figure out what works best for them, but I think you can be happy with all, none, or something in between.
I’m 47. My husband and I have three dogs. No children. Quite happy.
So far, kids. A 2 year old boy and a 4 3/4 year old boy.
That doesn’t mean I’m not a dog person however; I half-suspect that in another few years, we may get a dog, once both boys are kind of self-sufficient.
So far I’ve ended up in the nephews corner.
One of these years I want cats.
Neither. Nieces are great. And I have a cat.
Don’t want a dog, don’t want a kid (at one point I did think I wanted kids, but since I’ve made it to 42 without, I’m pretty sure those aren’t coming, and I’m happy with that).
I can tell you what I want/like, but that may not be for YOU!
One possibility is the “fostering” of kids and/or pets…
Check with your local child welfare office about taking foster parenting classes - that will educate you about what you would be getting into with kids. Might then be able to make a more informed decision - and you could become a foster parent, which is temporary (or can turn out to be a permanent thing).
Same with pets. You can temporarily house pets to help free up space at your local humane society.
And you can volunteer at a local school or Boys and Girl’s club. One interesting experience is to hang out in the “Time Out Room” of a local middle school. It will break your heart as you will see that some parents could care less about what their kids do in school.