why having kids is the best thing ever

[Asset]

and to be honest, it's usually the mum who organises the childcare, makes the packed lunches, takes the day off when child is sick, buys their clothes, cooks their food, sews their buttons on, washes their pants, tidies their room, comforts them when they fall over, takes them to the park, I could go on........

[Moos]

In the early days it seems that a father's (or partner's) job is to support the mother, who really, really needs it. So they're essential there. Later on, as the child grows, they come into their own. I take my hat off to single mothers, I really don't know how they do it.

[Brendan]

Your point is?

It?s usually the dad who doesn?t stop working full time, fixes things when they break, looks after the garden, take the kids to sports matches and practice, supports the mum emotionally, makes sure the motorcars are in running order, accepts his responsibilities without complaint...

EDTI: to point out that this was in reply to Asset not Moos who jumped the queue.

[MelbourneGr]

Life after 30 would be boring without kids. At least when you have kids you got something to live/work for. Being with someone for 40 years with nothing to pass on or leave sounds tragic.

[Asset]

Brendan, yes, it's a real case of teamwork. I suppose that's why the human race has lasted this long. (although in our house I do the garden and the car too)

[Brendan]

True asset. In ours I do the sewing.

[VeryBerryCherry]

MelbourneGr Wrote:

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> Life after 30 would be boring without kids. At

> least when you have kids you got something to

> live/work for. Being with someone for 40 years

> with nothing to pass on or leave sounds tragic.

It sounds like heaven on earth.

Imagine all that time to do WHATEVER you want, see the places you want, do the things you want, start the businesses you want, have the money to do what you want, have the SLEEP you want (and everything else!), spend the time with friend's kids and give them back as much as you want, do the jobs, go for the promotions you want and according to all this studies, be proportionately happier because of it.

That sounds as far from tragic as I can imagine.

[Cassius]

MelbourneGr Wrote:

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> Life after 30 would be boring without kids. At

> least when you have kids you got something to

> live/work for. Being with someone for 40 years

> with nothing to pass on or leave sounds tragic.

Goodness that sounds sanctimonious - and what about people who CAN'T have children - you've basically damned them for a physical fault.

Anyway only boring people got bored with life...............

[Brendan]

Although we don?t have kids yet so all it involves is the odd button. Oh and I did a hem once which I was quite proud of.

[SeanMacGabhann]

So that's why I have been so hacked off for the last 10 years!!

[Keef]

This is the problem, people who don't want kids don't get what all the fuss is about. People who have kids just don't understand how someone could not want it. I want kids, but I know I am going to have to make changes to my lifestyle, and I admit I'm not entirely happy about it!

[Cassius]

Some people just simply cannot accept that others are different to them - not wrong just different. This is percieved as being a criticism of them and their choice so they go on the attack.

Some of my friends are parents, some are child free - all have lives that they are happy with. Why can't people accept that we are simply not all the same. I like my friends' children (in very small doeses), they have times when they wish they didn't have kids and had our freedom. We respect each others lifestyles and are not so insecure that we see differences as being rights and wrongs.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Absolutely spot on Cassius.

I never ever think of parents as "breeders" or different. Some of my best friends etc etc. I just wish people would "get" that not everyone does want childen.

[Asset]

wait till you have to sew in all those damn name labels Brendan.

On the other hand, I have at least three girlfriends who are in their 40's who never got round to having kids earlier and are now gutted that they don't have them.

[Jah Lush]

MelbourneGr Wrote:

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> Life after 30 would be boring without kids. At

> least when you have kids you got something to

> live/work for. Being with someone for 40 years

> with nothing to pass on or leave sounds tragic.

How the fuck would you know?

[SeanMacGabhann]

A trifle harsh perhaps Mr Lush?

[Jah Lush]

Not at all. I just think that is a very naive and presumptious attitude to take. Personally I can't think of anything more boring than being stuck with someone for 40 years. Kid or no kids. Variety is the spice of life.

[SeanMacGabhann]

mebbe mebbe - but then again maybe MG has been with someone for 40 years - not your cup of tea but it would answer the "how the f*** would you know" question

[VeryBerryCherry]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> Not at all. I just think that is a very naive and

> presumptious attitude to take. Personally I can't

> think of anything more boring than being stuck

> with someone for 40 years. Kid or no kids. Variety

> is the spice of life.

It depends who.

I can think of nothing better.

(if Mr VBC sees this, he's gonna run a mile!) :-$

[Jah Lush]

I find that reply rather amusing considering your Oscar Wilde quote at the end of your posts. It takes all sorts. None of us are the same. We all want different things. We're all individuals.

[VeryBerryCherry]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> I find that reply rather amusing considering your

> Oscar Wilde quote at the end of your posts. It

> takes all sorts. None of us are the same. We all

> want different things. We're all individuals.

Who says a relationship has to be "consistent"?

Things are always changing and developing - that's the fun of it all. Even the difficult parts.

I have friends who, week in week out, get drunk, chat up a girl/boy take then home and then start all over again next week. Now where's the imagination in that? But if they are having fun - good for them.

Each to their own. I don't think is matters what you do, kids, kid-free, relationship, relationship-free, just don't resort to the humdrum or the consistent. Life is far to special and precious for that. And far to subjective for any of us to say what consists of a "good and fulfilling" life and that somebody else's life choices is/isn't fulfilling.

[SteveT]

MelbourneGr wrote:

Life after 30 would be boring without kids. Being with someone for 40 years with nothing to pass on or leave sounds tragic.

Yeah that might be the case for some.....but couldn't they just 'cheat a little' like the rest of us, to cheer up a dull day?

[*Bob*]

I'm happy to report that (despite being with saddled with said millstones.. er. I mean children..) we still manage to eat out, go clubbing, watch films, go to the (bloody) theatre, attend music festivals, act irresponsibly, go to parties and stay up all night and still get up later than most the next day.

In fact, we do 100% of the enjoyable things we did before - albeit less, plus another 200% enjoyable things we never did before.

So stick that in your childless pipes and smoke it.

[Jah Lush]

Bully for you *Bob*.

[Moos]

Yeah, go *Bob*. We're struggling! But still hope to get there...

I know this is really incendiary, and I'm honestly not saying it to offend, but I'm not sure about the term 'child-free' as distinct from 'child-less'. It just seems to me that in every other context one uses 'free' to suggest that the thing absent is undesirable (fat-free, disease-free..) while 'less' just means not there (strapless). However, I'll happily accept 'child-free' if you can think of an equivalent, non-pejorative 'free' term, perhaps I'm just being unimaginative.

(did I make any sense there?)