I’m single and have no children, but after watching my friends and other family members (including my parents) go through all that they do I can’t believe that any rational person would actually WANT to have to have children.
Sure, there’s the “He said ‘Dada’” moment and the first walk stuff. But then there’s the “pissing themself” thing to.
And once you get past the all the stuff at the front end of this kids life, you still have the day in and day out stuff of the rest of their lives. Every single day. Day in and day out.
Its no wonder old people want to die. Afer kids and marriage… anything hasta be better.
Yes they are worth it, if you get a gem like my daughter.
Day in, day out, I always have her and she always makes life interesting.
She’s 13 now, and constantly teaches me love and patience and she brings me so much happiness.
We have our ups and downs, don’t get me wrong…but yes, worth every labor pain, every worry, every disagreement, every “that’s not FAAAIR!”
My kids…I love them, would gladly die for them, rip someone to pieces with my fingernails for them, no question.
And yes, there are days I want to strangle them. I think every parent feels that way sometimes.
What’s funny is when you are relaying some godawful wretched thing the rugrat did that left you in shrieking with rage, the other person will sit on the floor and laugh uncontrollably.
Misery loves company.
Are they worth it? Definitely yes. But oh my God do they make you work for it.
I think it was Dana Carvey that said kids have power. You chase after them all day, no get down drop that give me that stop no no let go no come here no, and then at the end of the day, when you’re about ready to pack the kid off to Siberia, they look at you with big eyes and say, “Daddy, does God have feet?” and you just collapse in a puddle.
I truly think the people that should be admired the most are the ones that know they don’t want kids. At least they have the inner knowledge to know they won’t be good parents. It’s the ones that find out after they’ve had the baby that they don’t want it that piss me off to no end.
Some people shudder at the thought of having kids at age 20 and then are broody and are wonderful parents at 30. Some people never want kids, and that’s ok, too.
I, like many men, felt ambivalent about the prospect of having kids. My wife wanted kids, so of course, so I agreed, somewhat reluctantly. All during her pregnancy, I was worried, that I wouldn’t like being a father, wouldn’t love my kid, etc. I felt horrible about feeling that way. But as soon as my first son was born, all that melted away, and I couldn’t be happier with fatherhood. I have two sons now, and they bring me unending joy each day. Love outweighs all the annoying things you have to endure, trust me.
But if you really feel very very strongly about not having kids, don’t. It’s not for absolutely everyone. Just make sure, whichever way you go.
Like ivylass & An Arky say (and no one I know would have ever believed that I would ever have kids…well, my wife helped out a bit with the having part…).
I love my two kids more than anything in the world. My daughter just celebrated her second birthday yesterday and my 4 month old son is squeaking up a storm behind me as I type this. I am truly blessed.
I have friends that will say that they couldn’t handle the loss of freedom and the constant responsibility. It’s true that it changes your life, but I think it’s for the better.
Conversation leechboy and I had during church service a while ago:
Me: “Kids are so noisy and smelly”
Leechboy: “You said it.”
Me: “DVD player is better - lower overheads, no babysitting, entertaining, can be switched off - I like this idea.”
Leechboy: “Whats not to like?”
Me: “No Kids = Home Stereo System”
As you can see not only do we talk during church but we don’t think kids are worth it.
Leechboy has 10 nieces and nephews and I had always wanted to have children of my own up until the point I had to spend extended amounts of time with those kids. So a few months ago we decided that for now we just want to be free to focus on us. Maybe when we get older we’ll change our minds (we are both 27 yo) but it wont happen any time soon.
Hamlet - if god does have feet, do you think he has to cut his toenails too?
For those who don’t want kids, no rationalization is sufficient. For those who want kids, no rationalization is necessary. I think that about sums it up.
