Just wondering what percentage of people want kids. I know a lot of people who don't want them or at least want to wait until they're around 30 to have 'em.

 

Edit: Just added poll. If you already have kids, just pretend that you still "want them" hehe. In other words, post what you have.

Edit: Also just added the last option since 1/3rd of the forum is gay and they often have complex issues with adoption.

I don't mind watching my nephews for a while but if I were my sister's age and had kids to worry about constantly - changing diapers, watching the house turn into a mess in just one day, and hearing the baby scream all hours of the night wanting bottles, I'd want to kill myself. Raising kids can be a 24 hour job.

I'd love to have a child but I'm 41 years old and running out of time. But my grandfather had his last child (my dad) when he was 48 in 1929, so I guess I've got plenty time!! Seriously, I'm very sad about not having any imminent possibilities of meeting someone to have a child. One day soon I'm going to have to put my rail advocacy aside and go looking for a wife....

I'd prefer not to have kids for quite a while. I'm perfectly content being single, although having a significant other would be nice later in life. My hobbies and interests preclude me from having to devote a lot of time to children, much less my own, and I'd rather not be burdened with the responsibilities and costs of that until I am at least in the mid-30s.

I better want them, my first is due in early June.

 

The wife and I are of the opinion that it's better to have them early, we're 25 and 26. If I have my way (and I'm under no illusion I will), we'd have 3-4 and we'd be done by the time we're in our early 30's.  I want to enjoy my retirement...

I'd love to have kids.  I have two nieces and three nephews so my brother has had enough children for the both of us.  The three oldest lived me with until my oldest nephew was about 4½.  It was quite an experience.  I think that was the happiest time in my life.  I loved coming home their little faces.  I often think of the three oldest as those three little kids.  I loved taking them places, people always thought that my oldest nephew was my X and my kid.  sigh....the good old days.

 

I've often thought about finding an egg donor as I'd like to have a child of my own. However, I know there are hundred of thousands of children that need and deserve a loving home.  So adopting a 8-10 (so that he could grow up with my nephew and cousin) year old is something that has been weighing on my mind. 

 

My job is demanding and I travel a lot and I dont think that is fair to a kid.  I want to raise him, not have a surrogate.  I remember my mom, who was a flight attendant, being away for days at a time when I was younger.  So I don't want a kid to go thru that.

 

However, my nephews and nieces are like my own children we're are very, very, very close.

I'd love to have a child but I'm 41 years old and running out of time. But my grandfather had his last child (my dad) when he was 48 in 1929, so I guess I've got plenty time!! Seriously, I'm very sad about not having any imminent possibilities of meeting someone to have a child. One day soon I'm going to have to put my rail advocacy aside and go looking for a wife....

 

KJP you do it, my uncle got married and had a kid when he was 41. But he was born late, my mothers youngest brother is 12 years younger than the next kid oldest kid in her family.  He's only 10 years older than me. We're all 30 and above and his kid is 10.  It's like wow, we have a 10 year old cousin.  He's growing up with his second cousins.

 

I don't mind watching my nephews for a while but if I were my sister's age and had kids to worry about constantly - changing diapers, watching the house turn into a mess in just one day, and hearing the baby scream all hours of the night wanting bottles, I'd want to kill myself. Raising kids can be a 24 hour job.

 

David, changing diapers isn't that bad unless you forget to use the peepee teepee!  LOL

 

 

I originally (when I was much younger) wanted to have 2, maybe 3 if I was doing well financially, and wanted to start having them in my late 20s.  Late 20s came and went, I wasn't anywhere near ready and couldn't find a suitable mate.  I finally found my mate mid-30s, much later than I had planned, and we ran into unexpected complications so here I am at 40 with our one and only on the way.  Life just has a way of taking charge no matter what you "wanted" at some point in the past, that's for sure.

Well Mrs. Grumpy and I've got 2 little munchkins that we had in our late 20s. I'm happy they came when they did, because a few years from now I don't know if I'd have the energy for keeping up with them. And we purposely put off having kids till we had enjoyed a few years of marriage by ourselves first. Some days last summer I wished we'd only had one, but after the boy got over the colic we started liking him a bit. Plus now his sister can annoy him instead of us once in a while. There is, however, absolutely no chance in hell that the two offspring we have will get another sibling.

Two and holding. We just got the youngest out of diapers, and I'm never, EVER going back. No, changing diapers isn't the worst thing in the world, but it's damn near the most expensive. We were averaging $60/month on diapers during for a brief while, and that was at rock bottom Costco prices. Fuck. That.

 

Be aware: kids COMPLETELY change your life. No amount of expectation, preparation or anything can ready you. We planned on having kids and they came along at just the right times, but we never EVER went through the super-organized, hyper-methodical "planning" ritual. I see some of these professional types mapping out their baby plans like a vacation or major decorating project and all I can do is shake my head. Parenthood is the ultimate improvisation.

 

That said, kids are the greatest. Everything else is just toys and crap. I am exponentially more happy and focused with them. I can respect couples who choose the childless route, but they're definitely missing out on something.

Two and holding. We just got the youngest out of diapers, and I'm never, EVER going back. No, changing diapers isn't the worst thing in the world, but it's damn near the most expensive. We were averaging $60/month on diapers during for a brief while, and that was at rock bottom Costco prices. f$&k. That.

 

Be aware: kids COMPLETELY change your life. No amount of expectation, preparation or anything can ready you. We planned on having kids and they came along at just the right times, but we never EVER went through the super-organized, hyper-methodical "planning" ritual. I see some of these professional types mapping out their baby plans like a vacation or major decorating project and all I can do is shake my head. Parenthood is the ultimate improvisation.

 

That said, kids are the greatest. Everything else is just toys and crap. I am exponentially more happy and focused with them. I can respect couples who choose the childless route, but they're definitely missing out on something.

 

 

KOOW you aint never lied,  my brother would accept those diaper gifts and gift cards. It felt like my oldest nephew it took forever to be potty trained he would only "go" in my bathroom.  He would wake up every morning with my X at 5:15 am and walk into my closet and come into my bathroom to potty.  He would only go with my X.  My mom was like whatever works.  I just remember him shuffling with his footie pajamas thru the closet and my X would say "good morning lil man" and he answer "mornin' uncle Q". 

 

Then he poop, then get into the bathtub while my X was in the shower, then do a cannon ball on the bed and wake me up while still wet.  He would then mimic everything I did, floss, gargle, brush his teeth and then put shaving cream all over his head while I shaved.  LOL  If I put him back in his bed, he would scream at the top of his lungs or find a way to climb out and then hide in my closet.  My X, my nephew and I would have been up for hours by the time my brother rolled out of bed.

 

Diapers are horrible and should be used as weapons of mass destruction!

 

I agree kids come when they want.  Hell, I'm an "accident" my mom didnt even know she was pregnant, she thought it was indigestion, due to the raw hot peppers and jalapeno's she craved while pregnant with me.  [(Now you all know why I love spicy food.  lol ) My grandmother kept telling her to take Maalox. When I was born, my grandfather claims I was so light, that when they put me in the nursery he told the nurse not to put our last name but instead put up "Maalox Baby".]  Kids come when they want, My brother and I are 11 months and 1 day apart.

 

This past week when they were here in NY reminded me how much I missed them.  I totally miss just laying in the bed with them and laughing or listening to them ask can we go somewhere. All their little childhood memories came back I can remember when each was born.  Oh God....I'm all verklempt now.

"We were averaging $60/month on diapers during for a brief while, and that was at rock bottom Costco prices. f$&k. That."

 

This is why we are going to do cloth.  Everyone around us thinks we are wing nuts for doing it, but after the initial outlay, there's no cost other than an extra load of laundry here and there.  I read a comparison yesterday that says average price for the 2+ years in diapers using disposables and wipes is close to $3000, our cost will be less than $300.

2 years of my Ph.D. left and at least a year working at a real job first.  Oh, yeah, and a wedding in there somewhere.  I think I want 3 kids.

At one point, I thought it'd be nice to raise a little girl but then I got to spend family time with my partner's nieces and great-nieces. They're all between the lovely tender ages of 7 and 12.  :roll:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlMJsB8vBWM

 

Nope - no kids for me. Ever.

"We were averaging $60/month on diapers during for a brief while, and that was at rock bottom Costco prices. f$&k. That."

 

This is why we are going to do cloth. Everyone around us thinks we are wing nuts for doing it, but after the initial outlay, there's no cost other than an extra load of laundry here and there. I read a comparison yesterday that says average price for the 2+ years in diapers using disposables and wipes is close to $3000, our cost will be less than $300.

 

One thing to be aware of with cloth. I think there's rubber pants that are part of the operation...a friend that used them said the kid sweat like a stuffed pig. That said, if you can make it work, go for it.

 

I have three, all 4 and under. 2 are out of diapers now, the third still has a way to go. Between the diapers, and the special forumula all three had to be on, I'm broke. Happy, but broke. Next expense...Gracie Ju Jitsu lessons for the girls. Oh, and the shotgun.

 

I don't need any ammo. I feel like if I just sit on the couch polishing it when young gentlemen come a-calling, that will be enough. Maybe some rock-salt, to give them a remindful sting on the way out....

 

 

"We were averaging $60/month on diapers during for a brief while, and that was at rock bottom Costco prices. f$&k. That."

 

This is why we are going to do cloth. Everyone around us thinks we are wing nuts for doing it, but after the initial outlay, there's no cost other than an extra load of laundry here and there. I read a comparison yesterday that says average price for the 2+ years in diapers using disposables and wipes is close to $3000, our cost will be less than $300.

 

One thing to be aware of with cloth. I think there's rubber pants that are part of the operation...a friend that used them said the kid sweat like a stuffed pig. That said, if you can make it work, go for it.

 

Prefolds with plastic (not rubber!  LOL) pants are not the only option now.  We plan to do a combination of all-in-one styles (for when he is in day care, that is the only non-sposie they will use, it works just like a sposie and is all one piece) and pocket diapers.  We are probably going to get a starter kit that has several different styles/types in one to see which works best.  Once he goes to eating foods, we might be able to switch to prefolds and plastic covers since it's the cheapest option.

Ha ha! Rubber I say!

 

Doesn't matter what you use, disposable, cloth, plastic, rubber....nothing will save you from the inevitable

Up the Back Crap Attack!

 

SEE the poopie mysertiously creep out of your child's collar!

MARVEL at how a child that is less than 10 lbs can produce twice it's body weight in poop

WONDER why, no matter how much you wipe, the poop won't completely come off...and oh god no, don't stick your hands in it...just wait a minute...no...NO not in the hair!!

 

 

 

 

Ditto the comments above, I have two kids that turned 2 and 3 in March, plus a 16 year old stepson.  There are definitely trade offs as to when to have them.  Do you enjoy your 20s and have a no-responsibility lifestyle and wait for the kids while waiting to be more financially secure when you have them or do you have them early when you don't have any money anyway, but do have the energy to keep up with them, and then enjoy your later life with no responsibility?

 

I didn't have kids until my mid 30s, the only thing I will say is that you really budget and plan for the cost of diapers, food, etc. and moreso, either the loss of one income to watch kids, or the cost of child care, the costs are enormous and a huge change in lifestyle and spending habits.  Not to mention the lack of sleep and total reliance they have on you.

 

It is a lot of work, but I wouldn't trade it for anything....

"We were averaging $60/month on diapers during for a brief while, and that was at rock bottom Costco prices. f$&k. That."

 

This is why we are going to do cloth.  Everyone around us thinks we are wing nuts for doing it, but after the initial outlay, there's no cost other than an extra load of laundry here and there.  I read a comparison yesterday that says average price for the 2  years in diapers using disposables and wipes is close to $3000, our cost will be less than $300.

 

One thing to be aware of with cloth. I think there's rubber pants that are part of the operation...a friend that used them said the kid sweat like a stuffed pig. That said, if you can make it work, go for it.

 

I have three, all 4 and under. 2 are out of diapers now, the third still has a way to go. Between the diapers, and the special forumula all three had to be on, I'm broke. Happy, but broke. Next expense...Gracie Ju Jitsu lessons for the girls. Oh, and the shotgun.

I don't need any ammo. I feel like if I just sit on the couch polishing it when young gentlemen come a-calling, that will be enough. Maybe some rock-salt, to give them a remindful sting on the way out....

 

 

 

You are as bad as my brother.  My oldest niece is 14 and at the age of "group going out" my brother is like I don't want to see any boys.  NO BOYS!

 

My brother, to his credit, knows all the tricks of a teenager, so he over protective.  I'm constantly running interference so that he will loosen the apron strings for them and his every answer is, "I was a horny teenager, I know what those boys are thinking.  They are on their best behavior when a parent is around, but trust, they are nasty little boys!"

 

And he and my two cousins wonder why their kids say I'm the coolest adult they know!

I want kids but I sorta need a girlfriend first. And I'm 24 so having them by my mid-twenties is no longer really an option.

 

Same situation here. And with the kind of money I make, it would be irresponsible to have kids.

 

That's about where I'm at.  I'd like to have a few good years with my whomever before kids, but I'm still single and I'm not super young.  Career came first and it's still far from solid.  Right now money will not allow kids anyway, and I don't know when it will.

Folks you can always adopt.  There are plenty of kids, especially those over five, that need a good loving home.

Folks you can always adopt. There are plenty of kids, especially those over five, that need a good loving home.

 

You are aware that it takes around 2 years and $40K to adopt, right?

Folks you can always adopt.  There are plenty of kids, especially those over five, that need a good loving home.

 

You are aware that it takes around 2 years and $40K to adopt, right?

Yep.  I've been considering it for atleast 5 years.

Do you want kids?

 

To do what?  Shut up and sit down, and get off my lawn!  Can't you read books or something?  And what is that noise you're listening to?

Do you want kids?

 

To do what?  Shut up and sit down, and get off my lawn!  Can't you read books or something?  And what is that noise you're listening to?

 

Man, you're channeling my grandfather!  LOL

 

Oh for cryin' out loud, you were a kid at one point.  Make a baby!

Folks you can always adopt. There are plenty of kids, especially those over five, that need a good loving home.

 

You are aware that it takes around 2 years and $40K to adopt, right?

Yep. I've been considering it for atleast 5 years.

 

I think you would be great! 

 

I just hate that so many people act like you can just call up the baby hotline and be like hey, give me one of those, I want to adopt.  It *should* be that easy, or at least not as difficult and expensive as it is.  I know so many people who have gone through the whole process only to be very disappointed at the end when things go wrong or the mother backs out of the deal, it's way more complicated than it should be.

"We were averaging $60/month on diapers during for a brief while, and that was at rock bottom Costco prices. f$&k. That."

 

This is why we are going to do cloth.  Everyone around us thinks we are wing nuts for doing it, but after the initial outlay, there's no cost other than an extra load of laundry here and there.  I read a comparison yesterday that says average price for the 2+ years in diapers using disposables and wipes is close to $3000, our cost will be less than $300.

Good luck with that, and that's all I'm saying...

 

 

Ha ha! Rubber I say!

 

Doesn't matter what you use, disposable, cloth, plastic, rubber....nothing will save you from the inevitable

Up the Back Crap Attack!

 

SEE the poopie mysertiously creep out of your child's collar!

MARVEL at how a child that is less than 10 lbs can produce twice it's body weight in poop

WONDER why, no matter how much you wipe, the poop won't completely come off...and oh god no, don't stick your hands in it...just wait a minute...no...NO not in the hair!!

 

We were mercifully spared from the back-crap phenomenon.

"We were averaging $60/month on diapers during for a brief while, and that was at rock bottom Costco prices. f$&k. That."

 

This is why we are going to do cloth.  Everyone around us thinks we are wing nuts for doing it, but after the initial outlay, there's no cost other than an extra load of laundry here and there.  I read a comparison yesterday that says average price for the 2+ years in diapers using disposables and wipes is close to $3000, our cost will be less than $300.

 

We're going the cloth route as well. Registered for a crapload (no pun intended) of them, they make a great shower present for somebody who doesn't want to shell out $30.

 

We also went to the cloth diapering seminar at Park + Vine, which I highly recommend for anybody looking to raise a little granola baby. The ladies there know what they're doing.

 

 

Folks you can always adopt.  There are plenty of kids, especially those over five, that need a good loving home.

 

You are aware that it takes around 2 years and $40K to adopt, right?

Yep.  I've been considering it for at least 5 years.

 

I think you would be great! 

 

I just hate that so many people act like you can just call up the baby hotline and be like hey, give me one of those, I want to adopt.  It *should* be that easy, or at least not as difficult and expensive as it is.  I know so many people who have gone through the whole process only to be very disappointed at the end when things go wrong or the mother backs out of the deal, it's way more complicated than it should be.

Aww.  thanks.  Work is the problem.  The background check is good; the housing is good; the references are good and the finances are good.

 

I have to be in NYC at least four days out of the week, that means the kid would have to be at my parents house and that isn't the purpose of me adopting.  It would be unfair to him and my parents.  Although my mother loves having the kids at the house, but that is a whole 'nother story.

 

I can't have a kid here and drag him to Cleveland every other weekend or so or just up and go out of town on a business trips, nor do I want him in NYC public schools.  I wouldn't trust a nanny nor do I have any family to fall back on in NYC.  If only my nanny wasn't retiring, I'd move her to NYC.  :'(

 

On top of the above, my youngest nephew really isn't keen on having another kid showing up on the scene. He's made that very clear.

Anyone try this?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elimination_communication

 

I have a little boy who will turn 3 in June.  I love every day of being a parent.  No matter how bad my work day was, I know I get to go home and play with him.

 

I want one more, a girl preferably, but my wife ain't on board yet.  We have time though. 

Anyone try this?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elimination_communication

 

 

Without even following the link, I know what this is.  I wish we could do this, but it requires being a full time SAHM or SAHD, there is no way to do this if you have to leave your kid with other people during the day as they would all have to be on board as well, and no day care provider is going to do this. 

"We were averaging $60/month on diapers during for a brief while, and that was at rock bottom Costco prices. f$&k. That."

 

This is why we are going to do cloth. Everyone around us thinks we are wing nuts for doing it, but after the initial outlay, there's no cost other than an extra load of laundry here and there. I read a comparison yesterday that says average price for the 2+ years in diapers using disposables and wipes is close to $3000, our cost will be less than $300.

We're going the cloth route as well. Registered for a crapload (no pun intended) of them, they make a great shower present for somebody who doesn't want to shell out $30.

 

We also went to the cloth diapering seminar at Park + Vine, which I highly recommend for anybody looking to raise a little granola baby. The ladies there know what they're doing.

I admire your intentions; we've had several friends attempt the cloth route in earnest, and they all fell back on disposables; your energy (or what's left of it) is going in so many different places when you've got tiny ones that disposables become more of a necessity than a convenience, and for that reason we're neither proud nor guilty about forgoing cloth.

 

For what it's worth, though, we never fed the kids processed or pre-packaged baby food, we read to them prolifically, we have no cable TV in the house, they beg us to take them to the conservatory, library and COSI, and they've been raised bilingual. Figure that's enough.

 

Anyone try this?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elimination_communication

 

 

Without even following the link, I know what this is. I wish we could do this, but it requires being a full time SAHM or SAHD, there is no way to do this if you have to leave your kid with other people during the day as they would all have to be on board as well, and no day care provider is going to do this.

 

This is just a commodified-and-repackaged-for-upscale-Americans version of what people in Eastern Europe have been doing for generations. Under communism, processing cloth diapers in a gargantuan apartment block with limited access to gentle detergents and fresh air and/or dryers was a bitch and disposables were simply unattainable.

 

The sooner out of diapers the better; most Europeans have their kids out of diapers at a little over a year. We got our kids all the way out long before 3 and a half. I see size 6 diapers and shudder that the thought of a 4-year olds (or older) still in diapers.

Anyone try this?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elimination_communication

 

 

My parents didn't belive in that stuff.  They said, when you go, the kid should go, even if they don't have to go, so they understand when to use the bathroom.

Ha ha! Rubber I say!

 

Doesn't matter what you use, disposable, cloth, plastic, rubber....nothing will save you from the inevitable

Up the Back Crap Attack!

 

SEE the poopie mysertiously creep out of your child's collar!

MARVEL at how a child that is less than 10 lbs can produce twice it's body weight in poop

WONDER why, no matter how much you wipe, the poop won't completely come off...and oh god no, don't stick your hands in it...just wait a minute...no...NO not in the hair!!

 

 

 

 

 

LMAO!!  don't forget the oral "projectiles"  My youngest neice would just barf for distance at will.  I was so glad they didn't live with me when she came along.

I agree kingfish.  We *intend* to do cloth and to act as if there are no other options, but if it becomes too much, we'll give up and go with sposies.  "Intend" seems to be key when trying to plan for anything with the baby, since there are no guarantees anything will go the way you want. 

 

With so many good methods out there now, it does take some trial and error I think, to find the brand/style that works for you.  All-in-ones are essentially disposables but you wash them instead of throwing them out, those are the easiest, but also the most expensive.  There are a lot of varieties of pockets, we hope to find one that works well for us.  But when the little one is in daycare, we either have to provide sposies or AIOs and we are investing enough up front in the other types of CDs we will buy for home use, we may have to go with sposies for the 2 days/week he will be in daycare.

"We were averaging $60/month on diapers during for a brief while, and that was at rock bottom Costco prices. f$&k. That."

 

This is why we are going to do cloth.  Everyone around us thinks we are wing nuts for doing it, but after the initial outlay, there's no cost other than an extra load of laundry here and there.  I read a comparison yesterday that says average price for the 2+ years in diapers using disposables and wipes is close to $3000, our cost will be less than $300.

 

We've done three kids with regular diapers (not cloth) and I would never go back.  And yes, we are on a budget.  Cloth is fine when your at home, but the second your changing one in the car, at a friends etc, cloth is no fun to transport.  Cut costs somewhere else.

 

FYI immunizations are never covered by insurance.  Theyu typically cost around $800 per round (every 3 mos)  To save money, get them done at the county for $12 per shot (roughy $72/visit).  It is the same stuff at the pediatricians office.  Infact our pediatrician from the Cleveland Clinic referred us there with our daughter.  So, save the money there, and Costco/BJ's daipers.  That's what we did.

 

For me, I think I am done, but my wife wouldn't mind a fourth.  I'm in my mid 30's (wifes a bit younger) and our oldest is 5 (5,3,1 Girl, Boy,Boy).  I must say, I do have a soft spot for our oldest daughter.  She always starts a fight/argument between my wife and I because I have the hardest time disciplining her. 

 

As far as money goes, so far, the everyday stuff for kids under 5 isn't really much.  I see that going up when they are about 10.  And I must say, I am thrilled with the age we had them at.  As I lose energy, they are beginning to calm down a bit.  And yes, they change your life greatly in every way shape or form.  The thing is, you won't even notice because you are having so much fun. 

I think I'd like to have kids someday.  But, I also want to retire someday, so I'm running out of time.

 

My dad recently had his 5th kid about a year ago, and he will be 53 this year.  That means he'll be 70 when she graduates from high school! :-o  No thanks!!!

 

 

Folks you can always adopt.  There are plenty of kids, especially those over five, that need a good loving home.

 

You are aware that it takes around 2 years and $40K to adopt, right?

Yep.  I've been considering it for atleast 5 years.

 

I think you would be great! 

 

I just hate that so many people act like you can just call up the baby hotline and be like hey, give me one of those, I want to adopt.  It *should* be that easy, or at least not as difficult and expensive as it is.  I know so many people who have gone through the whole process only to be very disappointed at the end when things go wrong or the mother backs out of the deal, it's way more complicated than it should be.

For an infant, its crazy complicated. For a child a few years older, its not nearly as expensive or complicated. Though it does still take a couple years. I have friends that adopted an 8 year old, and were expecting more hassle than they got because they'd heard stories from people that'd adopted infants.

 

"We were averaging $60/month on diapers during for a brief while, and that was at rock bottom Costco prices. f$&k. That."

 

This is why we are going to do cloth.  Everyone around us thinks we are wing nuts for doing it, but after the initial outlay, there's no cost other than an extra load of laundry here and there.  I read a comparison yesterday that says average price for the 2+ years in diapers using disposables and wipes is close to $3000, our cost will be less than $300.

Good luck with that, and that's all I'm saying...

 

I've heard of more people that intend to use cloth diapers than that actually did. If you're able to keep using cloth, more power to you.

 

Ha ha! Rubber I say!

 

Doesn't matter what you use, disposable, cloth, plastic, rubber....nothing will save you from the inevitable

Up the Back Crap Attack!

 

SEE the poopie mysertiously creep out of your child's collar!

MARVEL at how a child that is less than 10 lbs can produce twice it's body weight in poop

WONDER why, no matter how much you wipe, the poop won't completely come off...and oh god no, don't stick your hands in it...just wait a minute...no...NO not in the hair!!

 

We were mercifully spared from the back-crap phenomenon.

I considered the back-crap phenomenon to be amusing. At least the kid's got talent. May not be able to sit up, or roll over but look what he/she CAN do!

 

The projectile vomiting was far more amusing though. My daughter once spewed over 6 feet from a high chair in a restaurant onto a neighboring table when she was about 3 months old. Fortunately the other table was unoccupied. 

 

Anyone try this?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elimination_communication

 

 

Without even following the link, I know what this is.  I wish we could do this, but it requires being a full time SAHM or SAHD, there is no way to do this if you have to leave your kid with other people during the day as they would all have to be on board as well, and no day care provider is going to do this. 

Uh, I think Mrs. Grumpy read something about that and tried it when we were expecting the second surprise. She gave up after about 8 hours, and spent a few days trying to clean the carpet and catch up on laundry.

FYI immunizations are never covered by insurance.

 

That's not true.  My plan has well child/immunization coverage and all immunizations are covered with a $20 co-pay per visit.

"We were averaging $60/month on diapers during for a brief while, and that was at rock bottom Costco prices. f$&k. That."

 

This is why we are going to do cloth.  Everyone around us thinks we are wing nuts for doing it, but after the initial outlay, there's no cost other than an extra load of laundry here and there.  I read a comparison yesterday that says average price for the 2+ years in diapers using disposables and wipes is close to $3000, our cost will be less than $300.

 

We've done three kids with regular diapers (not cloth) and I would never go back.  And yes, we are on a budget.  Cloth is fine when your at home, but the second your changing one in the car, at a friends etc, cloth is no fun to transport.  Cut costs somewhere else.

 

FYI immunizations are never covered by insurance.  Theyu typically cost around $800 per round (every 3 mos)  To save money, get them done at the county for $12 per shot (roughy $72/visit).  It is the same stuff at the pediatricians office.  Infact our pediatrician from the Cleveland Clinic referred us there with our daughter.  So, save the money there, and Costco/BJ's daipers.  That's what we did.

 

For me, I think I am done, but my wife wouldn't mind a fourth.  I'm in my mid 30's (wifes a bit younger) and our oldest is 5 (5,3,1 Girl, Boy,Boy).  I must say, I do have a soft spot for our oldest daughter.  She always starts a fight/argument between my wife and I because I have the hardest time disciplining her. 

 

As far as money goes, so far, the everyday stuff for kids under 5 isn't really much.  I see that going up when they are about 10.  And I must say, I am thrilled with the age we had them at.  As I lose energy, they are beginning to calm down a bit.  And yes, they change your life greatly in every way shape or form.  The thing is, you won't even notice because you are having so much fun. 

 

I dont know about that, when my nephews or neices were under 7 I would buy as much stuff for them as I would myself.  Gymboree, Baby Gap, osh kosh....I loved dressing the kids up in super cute (as mrnyc would say) outfits.

The sooner out of diapers the better; most Europeans have their kids out of diapers at a little over a year. We got our kids all the way out out by before 2 and a half. I see size 6 diapers and shudder that the thought of a 4-year olds still in diapers.

I think size 6 diapers says more about childhood obesity than about the age people are potty training.

The sooner out of diapers the better; most Europeans have their kids out of diapers at a little over a year. We got our kids all the way out out by before 2 and a half. I see size 6 diapers and shudder that the thought of a 4-year olds still in diapers.

I think size 6 diapers says more about childhood obesity than about the age people are potty training.

Do (did any) you folks start potty training when your kids started to walk?

The sooner out of diapers the better; most Europeans have their kids out of diapers at a little over a year. We got our kids all the way out out by before 2 and a half. I see size 6 diapers and shudder that the thought of a 4-year olds still in diapers.

I think size 6 diapers says more about childhood obesity than about the age people are potty training.

 

OMG they make them in size 6?  Jesus.

FYI immunizations are never covered by insurance.

 

That's not true. My plan has well child/immunization coverage and all immunizations are covered with a $20 co-pay per visit.

 

That is very good then.  We got all screwed up with our "well baby" stuff over the years thinking that certain things would be covered and they weren't.  If I rememeber correct, The first round for us may have always been, then 2 mo, 4mo, 6mo, and 1yr weren't.  I can't recall, bu t I think that's what it was. 

Do (did any) you folks start potty training when your kids started to walk?

My daughter was about 2 when we started potty training her. But that's half because her little brother kept us too busy to spend time worrying about it.

 

OMG they make them in size 6?  Jesus.

Size 6 isn't really that big. My 12 month old is in size 5's, but he's fat. (Getting thiner now that he's walking though.)

Do (did any) you folks start potty training when your kids started to walk?

My daughter was about 2 when we started potty training her. But that's half because her little brother kept us too busy to spend time worrying about it.

 

2?  wow.  My mom said, "as soon as they can walk, they should be potty trained."

 

I now remember my middle nephew walking around with a poopie diaper on his head.  He didn't like the fact that he pooped in it, so he decided to take his clothes off and wear it.  LOL  That was disgusting.

The sooner out of diapers the better; most Europeans have their kids out of diapers at a little over a year. We got our kids all the way out out by before 2 and a half. I see size 6 diapers and shudder that the thought of a 4-year olds still in diapers.

I think size 6 diapers says more about childhood obesity than about the age people are potty training.

 

OMG they make them in size 6? Jesus.

 

They make them in 7's actually . My 18 month old is in them (better for overnight retention...my kids are all skinny little beanpoles). But I found a couple "5" diapers from my firstborn a couple months back and they're just as big, if not bigger.

 

I think pampers has made a money play and shrunk their diapers and spread them out over a larger number sizes. You'll notice that for each increment in size, there is a comparable reduction in the number per box, even though the price stays the same or goes up.

^its a conspiracy. Pampers is out to get us! (I've noticed the same thing.)

This has turned from "Do you want kids" to "what happens with your kids once you get them"...

 

That leaves those of us without kids unable to participate. Unless those of you with kids say I should change the subject of this discussion...

This has turned from "Do you want kids" to "what happens with your kids once you get them"...

 

That leaves those of us without kids unable to participate. Unless those of you with kids say I should change the subject of this discussion...

 

Just helping you make an informed decision, so you know what you're buying into!

I'd better want kids because I already have three of them. Three boys 6,4 and 2. We started pretty young I was 24 and Mrs. was 23 when our first son was born, it wasn't how we planned things but we ran with it and everything has worked out so far. We are now debating if we want an even number of kids. In some regards I think that it may actually be easier to have number 4 than number 3 because the older boys will be self sufficient and  able to help out. A newborn with a 4 year old and 2 year old was rough.

 

Rock n' roller Size 6 isn't all that big considering I think that all of my kids spent about 2 weeks in newborn and were in size 3 pretty much within the first month. My kids are all going to dwarf me someday....