Poll: Do you have children?

[LostInTheCosmos]

Prior to getting married to my wife, she said to me, "There aren't enough good people in this world."

I quickly said with a big grin, "That's why we have to start making some!"

5 years of marriage and two boys later...

 

[LostInTheCosmos]

I'm expecting my first child (a daughter!)

Christina and I expecting our first together in May. We both want a daughter...

Congratulations to both of you! Very exciting, I'm sure!

I chose the "Don't know." option, assuming it to mean that I "Don't know." if I want kids, not that I "Don't know." if I have any. I know I haven't.

Dittos! Congratulations!

 

[UltimateXShadow]

That, and I'd also have to either IVF or adopt a baby. Not gonna happen either.

I'm not, in any way, shape, or form, trying to insult you by asking you this question. However, my curiosity has got the best of me, so I have to ask:

Why would you have to have in vitro fertilization in order to bear your own children? Do you have a physical or physiological abnormality that prevents the fertilization of your eggs via sexual intercourse? Once again, as a biology student, I must know. So, your answer would be much appreciated.

 

[LostInTheCosmos]

Well, at 22 years old I might consider it a bit young.. but I'd never ever want to have children in my life. Parents are always talking about how much it's worth in the end, after having to put up with all the crap they've been through..

I really can't see past that point. To me, children are annoying little #@!$ers that cost money, ruin your nights and humiliate you when they start crying or start getting angry in a public place. That, and I'd also have to either IVF or adopt a baby. Not gonna happen either.

My wife was 22 when we had our first baby and her second at 25. She bounced back really fast because of her age. And half the time she's mistaken for the "au pair" or babysitter when she's out with the boys.

Ruined nights only last for a little while and it helps if you can share the load with a good partner. As for humiliating you... It only happens if they aren't disciplined.

Honestly, it all depends on your partner. Half the time people get married without ever asking, "Will they make a good father/mother for *my* kids?" That is what makes the difference - is being able to be great friends, passionate lovers, but also be able to work as a team in tackling a challenging situation together with candor, patience and with a sense of humor.

 

[Brett Alex]

I don't have any kids (which I hope you can all attest to in court, if need be) but I'd probably want at least one later in life, maybe two.

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

Wow, I thought everyone already knew on here... Darth Empyrean is my fiancee. She posts on here occasionally, too...

I "Don't know." if I have any. I know I haven't.

That is such a sailor answer...

Intended as such, and glad someone caught it! Having not received my hand-delivered invitation to... whatever celebration is had for newborns, I assumed no such event was taking place. Seriously though: we're happy for you.

 

[latenightapplepie]

No thankyou. But I'm not sure whether that's because I've just gotten use to the fact I probably won't be able to, or because I generally don't want them.

 

[Zallest]

I was tempted to vote "Don't know" just because it was the oddest response on the list but i chose Don't have them, might want them. I don't have any and i might want some in the future.

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

No thankyou. But I'm not sure whether that's because I've just gotten use to the fact I probably won't be able to, or because I generally don't want them.

Forgive me for asking (feel free to ignore the question or PM me), but why would an 18 year old guy feel that he wouldn't be able to have kids?

 

[latenightapplepie]

No thankyou. But I'm not sure whether that's because I've just gotten use to the fact I probably won't be able to, or because I generally don't want them.

Forgive me for asking, and feel free to ignore the question, but why would an 18 year old guy feel that he wouldn't be able to have kids?

Nah, I don't mind you asking. I said 'probably' because current Australian laws prevent two men in a de facto relationship from adopting.

 

[mokes310]

I'm not quite sure...I'm dating a woman who has two kids, she's really cool, but I'm only 25 and in my opinion, I'm way too young to be a Dad. I know that others have had kids and been great parents at a younger age, but for me, I'm way too young. Perhaps in the future, perhaps not, I guess I'll see. In any case, I'm happy enough to teach my friends and family's kids bad words

 

[LostInTheCosmos]

I'm not quite sure...I'm dating a woman who has two kids, she's really cool, but I'm only 25 and in my opinion, I'm way too young to be a Dad. I know that others have had kids and been great parents at a younger age, but for me, I'm way too young. Perhaps in the future, perhaps not, I guess I'll see. In any case, I'm happy enough to teach my friends and family's kids bad words

I got married at 25 and found out that we were going to have a baby right after our honeymoon.

I thought I was unprepared and not up to the task. And to be honest... Even after 5 years of marriage and another baby, I still feel that way.

But who really is up to the monumental task of being a father or a mother? If you believe you are, then you're an arrogant ass. It's the fact that you feel unequal to the task that you will demand of yourself to be better person everyday out of love.

And one day after long days and hard nights... You will find that you are.

 

[mokes310]

I guess what would be reassuring to me is being finacially secure. Having enough money to be able to provide for whatever my family would need would be paramount for me to have children. Plus, I'd like to live in a country where health care was socialize (not to be political, just a personal preference), and live in a place where my children would be exposed to a large amount of different cultures. I guess I would want to raise children with absolutely everything that I didn't have, in every way!!!

 

[smallharmlesskitten]

Eww Avalon

 

[Isaac Dodgson]

Eww Avalon

seconded

 

[chronobreak]

2 kids here, my son Gavin Daniel, who's due in a couple months, and my dughter Anna Elise, she's a little over a year. I'm 24 years old, been married for 2 years. And I'm lovin', it.

I'm not quite sure...I'm dating a woman who has two kids, she's really cool, but I'm only 25 and in my opinion, I'm way too young to be a Dad. I know that others have had kids and been great parents at a younger age, but for me, I'm way too young. Perhaps in the future, perhaps not, I guess I'll see. In any case, I'm happy enough to teach my friends and family's kids bad words

I got married at 25 and found out that we were going to have a baby right after our honeymoon.

I thought I was unprepared and not up to the task. And to be honest... Even after 5 years of marriage and another baby, I still feel that way.

But who really is up to the monumental task of being a father or a mother? If you believe you are, then you're an arrogant ass. It's the fact that you feel unequal to the task that you will demand of yourself to be better person everyday out of love.

And one day after long days and hard nights... You will find that you are.

Dude, you have no place to say that. I'm a great dad, better than my dad ever was to me. I don't think you can judge peoples situations that you don't know about. If I wasn't ready to have kids, why would I do it? Because I knew I was up for the "monumental task".

 

[RhinoTuna]

Don't have any, want some. I love kids, but i can certainly wait to be a father. I want at least three!

 

[LostInTheCosmos]

But who really is up to the monumental task of being a father or a mother? If you believe you are, then you're an arrogant ass.

That is untrue and unfair. I was an excellent father with my first daughter, and the reason Christina and I are having one together is because we are both ready to have a child TOGETHER. We were excellent parents when we were the only one doing so in the family, and so both of together will be an incredible family. I guess I KNOW I am a good father, because of past experience, but the point stands. Some people just are naturally good parents. You can't take that away from them...

I think you and Chrono are misunderstanding me.

Perhaps I should have said:

"Do you think you're a *perfect* parent?"

No matter how good you are, there is always room for improvement. The people I am referring to are the parents who insist they are "good parents" and make no room for improvement because in their mind they are "perfect."

I apologize for the misunderstanding.

 

[Baonec]

As of yet no I have no heir but being 17 I don't consider that much of an issue i'd like to have kids not sure on numbers or gender but I do intend on making them avid gamers and just a little bit twisted like me.

 

[chronobreak]

But who really is up to the monumental task of being a father or a mother? If you believe you are, then you're an arrogant ass.

That is untrue and unfair. I was an excellent father with my first daughter, and the reason Christina and I are having one together is because we are both ready to have a child TOGETHER. We were excellent parents when we were the only one doing so in the family, and so both of together will be an incredible family. I guess I KNOW I am a good father, because of past experience, but the point stands. Some people just are naturally good parents. You can't take that away from them...

I think you and Chrono are misunderstanding me.

Perhaps I should have said:

"Do you think you're a *perfect* parent?"

No matter how good you are, there is always room for improvement. The people I am referring to are the parents who insist they are "good parents" and make no room for improvement because in their mind they are "perfect."

I apologize for the misunderstanding.

Well, perfection seems kind of unattainable, I just focus on being the best parent I can be I guess. But I understand what you're saying.