who here has children ^^

[goofy2000]

I'm thinking of not getting married.. ever..
It's not like I don't like children, but I don't think I can watch my children living in this cruel and insane world..
Is it still worth to raise children?
I don't know.. I can't bear ma children to watch jerry springers..

 

[MadMerc]

i got a son, 5 on sunday

and yeah, its worth it

 

[nickdakick]

Look here and yes it's worth it

Sorry for the quality though.

 

[GreenBeret]

I intend to... just not for a looong while yet Hopefully, if I do nothing to better the world, they will. That's how I see it anyhow.

 

[Stallion]

I have a Son who will be 21 months old on the 10th and I/We have a baby due August 9th.

Some times it's hard to adjust to being a parent and the responsibilitys but all it takes is a little smile from my Son and I could just melt.

Go see the Family Man movie. The part that got me was when Nicholas Cage looked in the babys crib and saw his little boy all sprawled out sleeping. It gives you a warm fuzzy feeling.

 

[nickdakick]

<< Hopefully, if I do nothing to better the world, they will >>


That's a very good point GB.

 

[Elledan]

I know for sure that I'll never get married or get a girlfriend (or boyfriend, in case you're wondering ).

It's because I don't see it as something that is relevant in life.

 

[Ornery]

Well, I knew for sure that I'd get married. But I could have gone either way on having kids. We now have two boys, ages 9 and 15. Can't imagine life without them now. I try to make sure they enjoy life as much as possible. Overcoming challenges is a healthy part of life. Helps you to appreciate &quot;the good stuff&quot;!

Personally, I'm thrilled to have been born in this day and age in this country. Now, I think you would have a point if we were living in the dark ages or something. But look at all the wonders around you now. Please learn to appreciate them. This is a really cool time to be alive! :Q

 

[Isla]

I have 3 children who constantly amaze and enlighten me. Yeah, it's a lot of work and a lot of responsibility, but I am a much better person for it.

Unfortunately, I have known quite a few people who had children and really never should have... too selfish to appreciate it. It really is not for everybody. Children need a lot, and I'm not talking about money.

My sister, who is also my dearest friend, opted to be 'child-free'. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and what is really nice is that she has made the effort to find ways to nuture and support other things... she doesn't have children of the body, but she has children of the heart and mind. She has the opportunity to be a valuable and contributing member of society in a different way than I do, and she makes the most of it! I think that this is great.

As long as you find a way to contribute in a positive way to society, that is what matters most, IMHO.

edit: Pre-coffee grammar

 

[ArkAoss]

after the way i was raised with my father, i find i can deal quite well with kids of any age. Personally it would be tough to raise kids in this debauched world, and kudos and congrats to all those that are doing so,
Oh and that family man movie, looks very good, if that doesn't turn you, your a tough person. hope fully some day with the right woman, I'd like to try to raise a child, but for now I can barely train up my computer, so I'm gonna try to wait a little while.

 

[~zonker~]

Two boys, both full of life and love; they give meaning and happiness to me on a daily basis.... except when they get into fights, or trash the house, etc., etc....


Paul (6)

Philip (7)

Children teach you more about life and yourself than any other experience I know of. They are the greatest responsibility, which if taken seriously and handled reasonably, generate the greatest reward.

 

[Isla]

Oh ~Zonker~, your sons are beautiful!

May God bless you and your family always~

 

[Yeeny]

I have three children, and I swore I would never have any also. The first one was an mistake, and I wish more of my mistakes in life would turn out so well. I cannot imagine life without them, they always manage to brighten my day with just a smile, or something silly they say. And their pureness and gentle nature always remind me that the world is not really a bad place.

Stanley 9, Kendra 7 and Joseph 3

<edit> Aww Zonker, your boys are cuties!

 

[ChrichtonsGirl]

Having children (or child in my case) is incredibly exhausting, emotionally draining, frustrating, terrifying and often thankless. On the other hand, it is the single most rewarding and awe-inspiring thing I have ever done, and gives me more happiness than anything else in this world. I never intended to have children, but I can't even imagine what my life would be like without him.

You do what you can to filter out all the crap in the world, cruel and insane though it may be sometimes. I may be a little sentimental this morning, but when I look at my son, I think maybe the hope we have in and for our children is what makes the world liveable. I also don't let Ry watch Jerry Springer, but the one time he caught some of it, he just asked me why those people were so crazy. Give your kids a good support system and they can pretty much deal with whatever the world dishes out to them.

All that aside, having kids is definitely a personal decision. I can't think any less of people who choose not to have kids, for whatever reason. In some ways, having kids is a lot like finding the perfect job or even your soulmate, if there is such a thing. You just know when it's right and when it's not.

Too much Zen this morning I think, I should have coffee before yoga.

 

[~zonker~]

Thanks Isla..

I'm still trying to figure out whar I did to deserve this reward...

PS 127:3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.

Paul just woke up and crawled into my lap a few minutes ago...
Paul: &quot;I'm so glad you're here&quot;
Me: &quot;You're such a good boy&quot;
Paul:&quot;You're such a good Dad&quot;

We are blessed

--------------------

GF... Thanks, I like those smiles, what are you guys doing there anyway?

 

[Elita1]

Children are nothing short of a miracle.
Yes it is a difficult world we live in, but as someone said these little ones have the opportunity to grow up and help make this world a better place. Heck, they do that ALREADY by bringing their family and friends so much joy.
Isla said it well when she said that they are a great responsibility not to be taken lightly, and that raising kids is not for everyone. If you choose to have children you should be committed to give them the best life possible as well as every opportunity for them to grow to be human beings that contribute something positive to society.
Personally I thank God every day for my little sunshine even though she just gave me heck this morning for not letting her eat cookies and candy for breakfast

To all you guys, thanks for posting your kid's pics; they are so cute!
GirlFriday your little ones look just like you!

 

[Optimus]

Yes, a beautiful daughter of 1 1/2... she is the absolute world to me, and fatherhood is an amazing, confusing, befuddling, happy, terifying, and joyous thing!

I became a father fairly young, although not by accident. I did everyhting pretty early! Graduated High School at 16, BA from University by 21, Married a week after we both got our University degrees (we had been together 4 years before that).

Got a nice place, I started my career with a good fulltime job, and at 23 we decided that we were ready for a child if one came. Sure enough, we were blessed with our daughter in summer of 99!

At 24 most people can't believe I'm a married dad (and a home owner, career guy who drives a family sedan! ).
Usually they assume I knocked my girlfriend up in high school or something!

Honestly, we are a pretty unique case. Most young marriages tend to not work out, and many many people aren't even thinking of kids at my age. But we were ready, we prepared, we took on the love and responsibility and after 7 years together, 3 years of marriage, and 1 1/2 years of parenthood - we are happy.

If you don't feel you are ready, then you likely aren't. Relax! There is no rush - wait until you feel at least MOSTLY ready!

 

[ArkAoss]

kids are great yes, but parents should stay together too. a friend of mines' sister married a guy, had 3 kids with him, then split. the guy still is raising them, and work with my friends mom to care for them. . familys gotta stay together, whos with me on that

 

[Elita1]

ArkAoss: I am SO with you on that. Hear hear.


(Edit: unless of course one parent is abusing the children. The other parent should put the children's best interests first and keep them out of harm's way, IMHO).

 

[Yeeny]

Zonker~: I was trying to get them to just smile into the camera, for a picture for their dad. And those little boogers just kept making the stupidest faces, cracked me up. I have to watch them, because if I leave the room for more than five minutes, when I come back I have a couple of movies of them dancing around in front of the camera. They are my little hams.

Elita: Thanks, I always hear how they look just like their father, and its so funny because I can see myself in them so much.

 

[unxpurg8d]

That's it - after all the posted pics of incredibly cute LITTLE kids I wanna trade in all of my old cruddy evil teenagers for some toddlers, darn it all. Here's my current little horde of money-mooching monsters: Involuntary Residents of Jenn's Home for Wayward Children

There's a 17 year old son missing - couldn't get him to clean his room enough to fit a camera through the tiny crack when he opens the door and mutters at me...sigh.

I don't advocate parenthood for everyone. Heck, I'm still trying to decide whether I want to be one or not when I grow up. :Q But most of my incredible highs and incredible lows have come from my kids..... and knowing what I know now about the infinite ways children can come up with to torture their parents, I STILL would choose to have the rotten little creatures all over again. I just would've had a surrogate go through the actual birthing process.


GF's kids don't look like her - SHE looks like THEM. LOL In that pic she looks all of 12. Back to drawing wrinkles in on that darn voodoo doll. Argh!

 

[I'm Typing]

When you have boys, you only have to worry about the problems ONE penis (theirs) causes. When you have girls, you have to worry about ALL OF THEM.

Kids are an awesome responsibility. Far too many people have a cavalier attitude about having and raising kids...which is why there are so many fvcked up kids in the world.

If you feel you are not ready, by all means, use birth control.

 

[Yeeny]

GF's kids don't look like her - SHE looks like THEM. LOL In that pic she looks all of 12.

Oh, wow, have I told you how much I adore you lately unxpurg8d? You just made my Christmas, New Years and Valentines Day. Wow, I know I am getting old, when comments on how old I look start to matter.... :Q

 

[Tripleshot]

The joy of having children is they grow up and become parents themselves.And then you get grandchildren to spoil and adore(and you don't have to change the diapers anymore,unless you want to,cuz the parents are there to do it!)

I have 7 children all over 18. 4 young men and 3 ladies.

Some of that group are married and have so far blessed us with 6 grandsons.

There is love all around.


You should see our christmas's! They're huge!

 

[unxpurg8d]

Awwwwwwwwwww tripleshot - now that was sweet.


GF, nice to know SOMEone adores me!! Feel free to express your adoration in the form of cash. lol You're almost gonna make me feel bad about taking so much time painting allllllllllllllllll those little gray hairs on that darn voodoo doll..sigh.

(And you know you're getting old when how old you look STOP mattering! :Q )