Anyone planning on NEVER having kids???

[dodo97]

I fully aknowledge that having kids can be a wonderful thing to many -- if not most -- people. But I also realize that I have neither the desire or the patience or the lack of selfishness to be a decent parent. So if I don't have kids, everybody wins!

[Slider]

Well I have a kid. I'm 22 years old, and I'm not going to say that it's been easy, but it's been worth every second of it.

The funny thing is, you won't know it until you experience it yourself. I told myself I was NEVER having children. Then one day... OOPS.

In my experience, your PRIORITIES change. Suddenly you are more fulfilled by watching your child sleep or discover the world, than being out drinking a Corona.

[Old-and-in-the-Way]

Being non-traditional in just about every sense, I got snipped at a childless 23. If you asked me why at the time, I would have said that the world is small and is getting smaller with every child. I would have also said that I didn't need a surrogate ego to justify actions, which, if directed to myself, could only be described as selfish. I guess I saw so many of my lefty friends with kids (first one, but almost always another or two) signing up for private schools, thinking school vouchers weren't that bad an idea, suddenly thinking cities weren't good places to live, buying gas guzzling minivans in anticipation of all the wonderfully enriching lessons, sports, and privilege enhancing circles to which they would transport their kids.

Twenty years later, I don't regret not having kids. It helps that I work with a lot of students, and so get a lot of vicarious parenting in without a lot of the sticky, smelly stuff. What I do regret, is thinking ill of people who did.  Many those friends raised some really interesting people. I still wish they didn't drive those gas-guzzlers though.

[jvan2619]

I think everyone is different in what they want to do, and I truly respect that.

As someone mentioned earlier, if you don't want kids it is better to not have them than give in to peer pressure and have ones you don't want.  I think it is great that you all know what you want in life.  My cousin just got divorced because his wife told him three years in to their marriage that she never wanted kids.  He wanted a huge family and they determined that their goals in life were VERY different.  Better to know now, then three years in to a marriage right?  The world would be a better place if more people knew what they wanted

Just my 2 cents

Also, getting snipped is reversible right?  So if you did, you could always change your mind later?

As you can see to the left I have a daughter and plan on having more - I love kids - however, I completely understand that it is not for everyone. 

Best wishes to you all.

[back2school]

don't get snipped!  I went through hell with pain afterwards.  It took me several years to get over...

[->Soon]

I hear getting snipped is like a kick in the groin.

 

ouch!!!

maybe they could just come out with a shot for men.

combo cialis/birth control   

[jashdey]

I know lots of men that have had vasectomies and were fine in just a few days.  Just like with any surgery, some people will have a more difficult recovery, but it isn't the norm.

[justGem]

Kids are dirty and loud and sticky.  Plus I think I would be a terrible mom.  I'd have a five yo with a sailor's mouth  

I have a 2 y.o. with one of those. And yes they are dirty, loud and sticky.  My 2 y.o. uses his hair for a napkin and eats dirt but at the end of the day they are non-stop entertainment. It's like having an in-house sit-com that is hilarious (if you can step out of the box).

[prestigesq]

I plan on having two little brats to send off to school like I was.  I'll see them a few times a year, at holidays mainly, then at their Exeter graduation.

[Esq Now]

verbal said "i just want to be able to take a few weeks off work during the summer, go out on my boat. lay on my hammock and drink a corona while listening to my ipod. man what a life."

You are so going to love being a lawyer.  That pretty much describes my life right now (except that "weeks" off aren't continguous).  Don't have kids, don't want kids, and plan never to have kids.  The wife has never been exactly happy about that, but she knew it going into the deal.

Being a lawyer with kids (at least in private practice) can be murder, unless your spouse doesn't mind doing everything and never having you around.