Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

[Scottdau]

Re: Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

It is not easy being a dad. You get this baby from the hospital and they tell you "Good luck being a parent." No instruction manual or any thing. I have done a lot of trial and error when it comes to being a dad, but I feel like I do the best I can. Born there is nothing wrong with you not wanting to have kids. Some people are just wired different. And that is cool too. If I had to do it all over again I would still have kids. I love having a little one depend on me and come up and give my butterfly kisses and Eskimo kisses too. Being a father is not for everyone. And I like being called "Daddy" or "Dad"

[TIm]

Re: Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

I for one are SOOO glad I don't have kids... I had a Girlfriend for a while and pretty much helped raise her kid from a infant to a couple of years old... I'll be honest.. I LOVE kids and Loved that little girl... Things didn't work out for us and we split.. But looking back on things it was a blessing in disguise... If we would have kept seeing each other, I would take that little girl in as my own and be a damn good parent. I was never unhappy watching that little girl. Her my ex GF and I are still really good friends tho states away.. I still get plenty of updates. Now I am very content on having no kids of my own.. My brothers 2 and Sisters 2 I see often and have a GREAT time with them.. But at the end of the day when I come home, I am at peace and relaxed... I come and go as I please...

Some people have kids because it's the "Thing to Do" and that's crappy... I only hope people will think long and hard before having kids because it's a 20-30 year commitment depending on the situation...

[Bornindamecca]

Re: Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

It is not easy being a dad. You get this baby from the hospital and they tell you "Good luck being a parent." No instruction manual or any thing. I have done a lot of trial and error when it comes to being a dad, but I feel like I do the best I can. Born there is nothing wrong with you not wanting to have kids. Some people are just wired different. And that is cool too. If I had to do it all over again I would still have kids. I love having a little one depend on me and come up and give my butterfly kisses and Eskimo kisses too. Being a father is not for everyone. And I like being called "Daddy" or "Dad"

No doubt, man.

Btw, there is a dirty joke response involving not having kids, being called "Daddy" and using this emoticon, but I won't go there.

[LingeringRegime]

Re: Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

Very glad. I am 35, and I am so thankful my wife and I decided against having kids. The hardest thing to deal with is the pressure from friends when we were first married. Like, "So, when you guys going to have kids?" It was so annoying. Children aren't for everyone, and you can live a full and complete life without having any. We actually have more time for each other and do more things together. What I always thought was funny is when people would come up to us when we were newlyweds and said things like, "Enjoy your life now together now, because once you have children your private time will be non-existent." And I was thinking, "Why do I HAVE to have them." LOL.

I respect parents and understand that there is great satisfaction in being one. Just not for me and my wife.

[12]

Re: Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

Maybe this thread is not for me, being a new dad to a five month old son and all, but he has been the greatest thing to ever have happened to me. Being a dad is something I've always wanted.

With that said, I can respect the decision that other men make when choosing not to have kids. It's not for everyone, but man, it sure is for me.

I'll venture a guess here, though... A lot of you young guys saying you don't want kids just might change your mind. I know when I was 21 or 22 (I'm 29 now) I didn't see myself having kids. I've had friends feel the same way... There are times when I miss that freedom, but I would not trade my wife and son for anything in the world. My life would be nothing without them, but like I said before, I can applaud and respect the decision of deciding that kids are not for you.

[JBH3]

Re: Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

OK, I said my minor piece and stepped out, reading with amusement at everyone's comments.

Innocence though? The world isn't all "sunshine and rainbows" and to pretend that children are so closed off from the real world no matter how sheltered they are raised is just ignorant.

Kids of all ages see, hear, watch, experience, touch things that would make even Dana Carvey's Church Lady faint of shock.

Just be realistic with your child and play to their maturity level. No need to hide the ugly (and often beautiful) truth of the real world.

First, my comment was in regards to those who refer to kids or their kids as "little [four letter word that refers to poop]" and the like. Personally don't see how calling them a booger/poop machine is cute, even if true.

Second, just because our society is entirely screwed up, and so much is thrown into the faces of the youth doesn't make it any more justified to accept the status-quo.

Third, I know the world is not "sunshine and rainbows", and this has nothing to do w/ the post you quoted me on but I guess I feel the need to respond....I just don't see how exposing kids to "adult" things is justified regardless if it is the world we live in or not. They'll be at an age to better digest it later in life, till then they should be kids and what they see/hear/feel should be kid-friendly.

[KG]

Re: Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

Re:2nd question Absolutely. I've already inquired about the big brother program and plan to give seminars to kids who want a creative career. I've already done some teaching, and I'll be speaking to a class in upstate New York this October.

Re:1st question This goes without saying, as 99.9 percent of the population engages in a majority of self serving activities, which is a necessity for both literal and abstract survival.

I'm kind of curious to see how the big brother program will affect your outlook. I'm always worried that I will force things I like upon my child (my obsession with sports) but teaching kids who already express interest a creative career just seems easier.

I was recently told by an older woman that I'm a good catch because I'm 28 and have no kids. I'm not sure what that means exactly, but I was mostly disappointed that it was my best selling point.

Ok, seriously, I am also glad I don't have kids. When I was younger, I was very serious about never having any, but I've loosened up a bit in that regard. Do I want any right now? No. Not at all. I can barely support myself, what will I do with a little me running around?

Someday, I imagine I'm going to want a little guy or girl to call my own. Sometimes I say to myself I want to do it to prove I can be better than my father (sad justification, but it's how I feel at the moment). I don't know when that time will come, but I don't want it to come anytime soon.

I'm far too busy building my life and career. If I had a child right now, I'd be the father I never wanted to be.

You know what that means and it's not a bad thing at all. I know when I was single I didn't want to date a woman that had a kid(s).

[Chef Matt]

Re: Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

I'm always worried that I will force things I like upon my child (my obsession with sports)

I was atually worried about this too before I had my kids, but I can say it's come out ok. My dad didn't "force" his likings on us and it's trickled down to my kids. I let them be their own person. Look at my 7 year old, he has hair down to his shoulders and he loves the Texas Rangers! wtf!

But it's all good. In fact I'm planning on taking him and my other two to the Rangers/A's game on the 4th so he can see his team in action.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

Unfortunately we live in a society where if you’re at least 30 years old and not married/engaged and don’t have children, people will ask you why. Frankly the world would be a better place if financially unstable people didn’t have children. As for why people wouldn’t want to have children let’s see:

- more money to buy adult toys, vacations, entertainment events
- can pack up and go as you please
- don’t have the huge responsibility to care for another human being that is unable to take care of themselves (when they’re young)
- don’t have to always worry about how the child is doing

Some people have a hard time accepting the fact you can be a happy person by not wanting to get married and not wanting children.

[Vast]

Re: Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

25 and no kids, I do have a dog and she is a handful. I think I will wait until I meet a girl who is not completly insane...

Having just broken up with my girl, this post hit close to home and made me laugh out loud. Women are crazy.

First i have to find a woman that is even worth having a child with before i even consider it.

I'm 30 years old and I'm not in a rush to jump into parenthood. Although it is something i see for myself in the future. I know i'd be great at it.

[e0820]

Re: Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

Having just broken up with my girl, this post hit close to home and made me laugh out loud. Women are crazy.

First i have to find a woman that is even worth having a child with before i even consider it.

I'm 30 years old and I'm not in a rush to jump into parenthood. Although it is something i see for myself in the future. I know i'd be great at it.

Just so you guys know, the older you get the more chance of complications can arise. So be aware in your quest for someone worthy. Hopefully she is still in her 20's.

[JBH3]

Re: Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

For the ones w/ no kids who want kids, and past the age of 28...when do you plan on having one? Not that I'm judging, my parents started w/ me when they were 30, then had my brother 2 yrs later, and my sister 6 yrs after me.

I thought we were going to wait till we were 30 too (wife is 2 days older than me), but I'm glad we had our son when we were 27.....buys me some time for the wife and I to have our next child around 30/31 and still enjoy each other w/ the house all to ourselves before we both turn 50.

Anyways, I only ask because I know a couple that recently had a baby, and the mom is 38/39 and the father already into his 40s. IMO that is way too late...

[kehlis]

Re: Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

For the ones w/ no kids who want kids, and past the age of 28...when do you plan on having one?

I don't think I'm part of the group you were asking this question to but I felt inclined to respond.

I enjoy kids and in fact worked with them at a rec center/day care for about 8 years through and after college (my point is I DO want kids) but am missing a much needed part of having a kid (gf/wife).

I turn 28 next month and while I understand there is still plenty of time really, it is going by quickly and probably would have liked to be having one at about this time in life...

[JBH3]

Re: Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

I don't think I'm part of the group you were asking this question to but I felt inclined to respond.

I enjoy kids and in fact worked with them at a rec center/day care for about 8 years through and after college (my point is I DO want kids) but am missing a much needed part of having a kid (gf/wife).

I turn 28 next month and while I understand there is still plenty of time really, it is going by quickly and probably would have liked to be having one at about this time in life...

I hope you're able to find someone and settle down. I met my wife in a DC nightclub, and never thought in a million years that's how I would meet the woman of my dreams...and who I'd spend the rest of my life with. Keep your head on a swivel man...

Its great that you've volunteered your time too...thank you for that.

Don't fret though man, and don't hold back if you see someone who you're attracted to.

[Jonesy]

Re: Anybody else glad that they DON'T have kids?

For the ones w/ no kids who want kids, and past the age of 28...when do you plan on having one? Not that I'm judging, my parents started w/ me when they were 30, then had my brother 2 yrs later, and my sister 6 yrs after me.

I thought we were going to wait till we were 30 too (wife is 2 days older than me), but I'm glad we had our son when we were 27.....buys me some time for the wife and I to have our next child around 30/31 and still enjoy each other w/ the house all to ourselves before we both turn 50.

Anyways, I only ask because I know a couple that recently had a baby, and the mom is 38/39 and the father already into his 40s. IMO that is way too late...

Man it is almost scary how close your experiences / thoughts match up with mine on this subject.....