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...

I don't have any tax deductions and I'm participating!  lol :P

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....

 

My brother had 3, then wanted to "try" for one more and ended up with two more.  There is a four year difference between the groups.

 

If they didn't have my and my parents help I don't know how my brother and skank-in-law could raise more than one child. 

 

My brother had 3, then wanted to "try" for one more and ended up with two more.  There is a four year difference between the groups.

 

If they didn't have my and my parents help I don't know how my brother and skank-in-law could raise more than one child. 

 

 

And that is my nightmare....

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.

 

 

Careful what you wish for. I met a parent at a kids birthday party who is an OB. He was telling me that earlier that week he had to explain to one of his patients, who has three kids already, that she was pregnant with triplets.

 

I guess she got mad at him....

My brother had 3, then wanted to "try" for one more and ended up with two more.  There is a four year difference between the groups.

 

If they didn't have my and my parents help I don't know how my brother and skank-in-law could raise more than one child. 

 

 

And that is my nightmare....

Well like they say....it takes a village.  Luckily I'm from a big family and most live within close proximity to each other.  So there are times where several kids are dumped of at one families house. 

 

I remember my oldest nephews 6 birthday party.  60 kids were planned.    It felt like 55 of those kids were family members.

 

I wish they could stay 6, 4 & 3.  They were so cute.  Now their independent teens.  :'( :'( :'(    Why do they have to grow up?

:wtf:

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.

 

 

Careful what you wish for. I met a parent at a kids birthday party who is an OB. He was telling me that earlier that week he had to explain to one of his patients, who has three kids already, that she was pregnant with triplets.

 

I guess she got mad at him....

 

Triplets?  :? :?    :wtf:  :? :?  and they already have three kids?  Welcome to hell!

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.

 

You're probably right.

 

 

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.

 

You are absolutely correct.

 

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...

 

Those without kids can't possibly know what it's like. Hearing experienced parents go on and on in nauseating detail about the relative merits of diapers is the closest you'll get. Read it and weep.

We have two young ones and we'll probably add one or two more in the next 4 years.

I wonder what the carbon tax will be in a few years for having more than 2 kids?

We'll be offsetting their carbon footprints by converting old folks into Soylent Green.

 

 

NEVER get tired of that clip...

David, there is no option for more than 3.  I was raised in the land of giant families where 5-7 kids was common.  I was the oldest so I remember what it was like with just 1 brother, and that was boring just beating him up.  All 3 of my brothers are bigger than me now but I can still take any of them on the mat.

 

Also, I suspect that a lot of people I know having kids were bailed out financially by their parents.  I know those guys all had a lot of student loan debt and now they don't talk about it anymore.  Still we have to wonder how much student loan & credit card debt is keeping down the birthrate!

Its interesting to see that so many want three or more.  I don't know how you kids do it.

 

I always wanted a lil brother or sister, but cant imagine dealing with a kid similar to my brother as a kid.

I'm 29 and my wife and I have a little boy who is one-and-a-half. We'll probably have two more in the next few years and stop with three.

 

While you will end up spending some money and some time on kids, I really don't think it's quite as bad as some want to make it out to be. Diapers and formula costs can add up fairly quickly, but those costs are still fairly minimal in the big picture. $60/mo on diapers is still less than what some people pay for cable tv. ;)

 

Also, while your schedule will change, you don't have to become the shut-in that many parents become.  Our child comes with us to restaurants, gatherings with friends, and everything in between. Sure, you might be tired on some days, but it's not a total physical drain 24/7.

 

And lastly, I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but the last thing we wanted to do when having a child was uproot and move to the suburbs "for the schools". Raising a child in an urban neighborhood is not only doable, but can be just as rewarding and fulfilling as any other neighborhood.

 

I have some friends who have recently bought houses and had kids in Columbus suburbs like Dublin, Powell, and Worthington while we stayed Downtown. They all paid over twice as much as we did for their homes, and their property taxes are over three times as much as ours. We found a beautiful large historic brick home walking distance from downtown, and while we're aiming for lottery/alternative schools, we're willing to pay for private schools if we need to. What we're saving on living affordably downtown pales in comparison to what we'd be paying for a higher mortgage and higher taxes in the burbs. Those are fine public schools out there, but they're certainly not "free". To top it all off, we've got plenty of supplemental extracurricular activities all around us... COSI is a weekly visit instead of a once-a-year class field-trip. The downtown library and museum of art are both within a 10 minute walk. Art and music classes are available at CCAD and The Lincoln Theater. There's so much for kids to do and learn and experience downtown. These institutions are invaluable and can help shape a child's life for the better. They're great neighbors to have. ;)

 

So I'd highly encourage anyone contemplating children, to consider being a trendsetter and take a look at your options in and around downtown before high-tailing it to the burbs. :D

David, there is no option for more than 3.  I was raised in the land of giant families where 5-7 kids was common.  I was the oldest so I remember what it was like with just 1 brother, and that was boring just beating him up.  All 3 of my brothers are bigger than me now but I can still take any of them on the mat.

 

Also, I suspect that a lot of people I know having kids were bailed out financially by their parents.  I know those guys all had a lot of student loan debt and now they don't talk about it anymore.  Still we have to wonder how much student loan & credit card debt is keeping down the birthrate!

 

I see what you're saying but I wasn't about to make a list with 14 different options. I just wanted to keep it simple. The kind of people who post on this site aren't the kind of people who have more than 3 kids.

 

I come from a big family too. I have a sister, 3 half brothers -but only 2 that I'm close to, and a half sister that I haven't seen since she was 7. My older brothers used to get into fights all the time when we were younger - they would always want me to pick sides lol. I don't mess with my oldest brother though since he became crazy and started shooting steroids in his thigh. When he gets man boobs and goes bald I'll mess with him lol

 

The kids that go to college now - at least the ones I know, come from small families where they're either the only sibling or one of like 2 and their brother or sister is way older. That's really the only way you can get support for college. In my family, the attitude is that you're out the door and on your own at 18--seee yaaa. Too many kids to be spoiling them all with tuition, books, cars, etc. I have a hard time getting enough loans so its tough for me.

 

David, hopefully you can find yourself a good woman before your friends start getting married and their wives start hooking you up with their friends who already have a kid or two.  They want to chaperone the date, then get mad when it goes nowhere.  The opposite of that is either a girl in grad school or one with every intension of going, and that's not necessarily a better situation!   

I'm really not that picky. I find a lot of women attractive that a lot of guys dont. My ex girlfriend was more personality (and sex drive) than looks. She was a sl*t though. I knew it was too good to be true. I caught her kissing another dude! Sadly, what I hated the most about the whole thing though was her f-ed up family. GOD I hated her family. Her family sucked.

 

Next time I look for a long term girlfriend there's gonna be some test questions.

If you go out with an only-child girl, the mother will be way more involved than usual.  They'll call you, leave messages, send emails, etc.  These calls and messages will be carefully crafted to cloak their true intentions -- and the girl & mom will be frustrated if you don't fall for their traps.  They'll then convince each other you're Mr. Wrong because they won't be able to order you around.     

 

Girls in bigger families can go about their business without attracting so much attention, although then you might have to deal with "protector" brothers & sisters.  All this is a non-issue when she's not in her hometown, although all these girls with kids seem to live with their mom, which makes the situation just that much more impossible. 

 

 

 

Well, she has a big family. She's just too involved with THEM. Her parents were just rude and awkward. She isn't like that at all, which is why I couldn't understand how she'd want to be around them so much. I think they really screwed with her brain.

 

I didn't have to deal with any brothers, just a marine ex-boyfriend.

 

 

Problem is a lot of parents buy their daughters cars, pay for spring break trips, and give them credit cards in college while sons are left to fend for themselves.  They then pay their rent or buy them a small house right out of college.  I've seen this many times. 

 

 

Problem is a lot of parents buy their daughters cars, pay for spring break trips, and give them credit cards in college while sons are left to fend for themselves.  They then pay their rent or buy them a small house right out of college.  I've seen this many times. 

 

 

That might be true.  The  female cousins on my mothers side of the family have never had to do anything.  Three have never had jobs, despite having advanced degrees.  They are classic "daddy's little girls" or "princesses".  and their daughters are even worse!

Don't get me started on the princess mentality.

Don't get me started on the princess mentality.

 

Oh sure we both have doozies.  My cousins is the queen of the princesses. If the show my super sweet 16 was out 20 years ago.  She would have the end all, be all show!

Sure, I'd take a couple.

Sure, I'd take a couple.

"take"??  They have a name for people who "take" kids.

I want to adopt one of those 3rd world Asian babies. I'll give him a hippie name and a mowhawk. Gotta do my part to save the world.

I want to adopt one of those 3rd world Asian babies. I'll give him a hippie name and a mowhawk. Gotta do my part to save the world.

 

Why?  I bet you (most likely any of us) can adopt a child living in 3rd world conditions within 15 minutes of your (our) home.

I want to adopt one of those 3rd world Asian babies. I'll give him a hippie name and a mowhawk. Gotta do my part to save the world.

 

Why? I bet you (most likely any of us) can adopt a child living in 3rd world conditions within 15 minutes of your (our) home.

 

Yeah, I wasn't being sarcastic or anything.

 

This calls for another epic b!tchslap

 

I'd like to have two kids, maybe 3, but it won't be till my 30's

 

I'm 24, and just dating on and off.  Even when I get hitched, I want to enjoy life traveling and going places with my wife before we settle down. 

 

 

"It's getting rarer every year to be on your own with adequate health coverage and no debt "

 

I can relate to that C-Dawg.  I pay for my healthcare out of pocket.  Having healthcare job or no job is a requirement.  I know so many people who go without it, but continue to spend elsewhere.  What a stupid decision.  When I had a kidney stone, it was like $8000 in medical bills.  My insurance covered it all, no deductible. 

I want 3 kids. 2 boys (lineage ... lol) and one female.

I want 3 kids. 2 boys (lineage ... lol) and one female.

 

Oh, good point.  Continuing my last name is a good idea.

If you get the boy out of the way first.. then you donthave to worry about your name lasting.. I know too many guys that have had all girls and the name stops.

 

Even when I get hitched, I want to enjoy life traveling and going places with my wife before we settle down. 

 

Word. I hope those fun random trips to different cities will still be happening. Even if I get married, I don't see what could stop it unless she really is that unadventurous.

If you get the boy out of the way first.. then you donthave to worry about your name lasting.. I know too many guys that have had all girls and the name stops.

 

So? So bloody what if your family name doesn't carry on - I have *never* understood why people make such a deal about this. The worst is when I see parents or grandparents pressuring their kids to procreate for that reason.

If you get the boy out of the way first.. then you donthave to worry about your name lasting.. I know too many guys that have had all girls and the name stops.

 

So? So bloody what if your family name doesn't carry on - I have *never* understood why people make such a deal about this. The worst is when I see parents or grandparents pressuring their kids to procreate for that reason.

 

 

I think it's important to those who are single children and male; from a small family and/or a family with very few males. 

 

People want their heritage, lineage and family name to carry on.

 

WTF is this thread, an echo chamber? :roll:

WTF is this thread, an echo chamber? :roll:

 

I hate you!  How dare you change my picture!  :whip: 

Easily - you've been on a spree lately, and they're starting to show up gratuitously and not even adding "oomph" to your posts. You're diluting your brand, dear. :-)

 

Anyway, I'm well aware that it's important to single male, small family, blah-dee-f#cking blah and people want heritage/lineage/yadda-yadda to continue. I'm also aware that people want LOTS of things out of life but need to get a grip. Plenty of species of animals have gone extinct - it happens; and are people so self-absorbed that they can't fathom this world going on without their DNA in it? Apparently they are - from how I've seen some parents, etc. treat their children who choose to be childless. What's worse are the people who inflict that crap on the parents of childless couples.

Easily - you've been on a spree lately, and they're starting to show up gratuitously and not even adding "oomph" to your posts. You're diluting your brand, dear. :-)

 

Anyway, I'm well aware that it's important to single male, small family, blah-dee-f#cking blah and people want heritage/lineage/yadda-yadda to continue. I'm also aware that people want LOTS of things out of life but need to get a grip. Plenty of species of animals have gone extinct - it happens; and are people so self-absorbed that they can't fathom this world going on without their DNA in it? Apparently they are - from how I've seen some parents, etc. treat their children who choose to be childless.

 

Hey...Hey...Hey.  The MTS brand is strong and know as a worldwide leader of good taste and sarcastic imaging!  lol :wink2:

 

Some people who have children, should never have been able/allowed to pro-create!

 

If my brother didn't have kids, I would have convinced a woman to have my baby, to ensure our name carried on.  Luckily, he's got three boys, so his name will carry on.  Unfortunately, if he carry's on the way he does now, my nieces will end up spinsters, so he wont have to worry about them losing our last name.

 

If you get the boy out of the way first.. then you donthave to worry about your name lasting.. I know too many guys that have had all girls and the name stops.

 

So? So bloody what if your family name doesn't carry on - I have *never* understood why people make such a deal about this. The worst is when I see parents or grandparents pressuring their kids to procreate for that reason.

 

I agree. My last name would be Davenport if I had my dad's family name. I don't even want his genes, let alone carry on the family name lol. Who cares, really? It's just a name. In 10 years people will probably be able to look up their family tree in a data base going back hundreds of years. Seems petty to me.

Parents or grandparents pressuring lineage is one thing ... potential parents desiring to pass down the family name is another.

 

Trying to explain why I desire a son for this reason, but not solely this reason is like me trying to explain why I like the color grey so much. It is what it is...

Parents or grandparents pressuring lineage is one thing ... potential parents desiring to pass down the family name is another.

 

Trying to explain why I desire a son for this reason, but not solely this reason is like me trying to explain why I like the color grey so much. It is what it is...

 

Women can pass the name down too.  Next they're gonna wanna vote. 

Parents or grandparents pressuring lineage is one thing ... potential parents desiring to pass down the family name is another.

 

Trying to explain why I desire a son for this reason, but not solely this reason is like me trying to explain why I like the color grey so much. It is what it is...

 

Women can pass the name down too. Next they're gonna wanna vote.

 

Not sure I'm following you here?

It's kind of a dangerous way to think because now we have the ability to pick the gender of our kids. If everyone had that mentality, there would be a huge shortage of females.

 

If you have a daughter, just raise her to be a feminist and encourage her to keep her name after marriage lol.

It's kind of a dangerous way to think because now we have the ability to pick the gender of our kids. If everyone had that mentality, there would be a huge shortage of females.

 

If you have a daughter, just raise her to be a feminist and encourage her to keep her name after marriage lol.

 

Apparently you've met my nine year old "anything boys can do I can do better" niece.

I think some folks on here are taking comments and twisting them WAY out of context.

 

So ... what's new? lol ;)

The name on the building wouldn't have meant as much if my grandfather (only son) hadn't had an only son who happened to have 2 sons, one of which has a son!  I had 2 daughters, whom I have told to keep the name!

 

Is that PVC on the left side of that gate?

No, but it does look like it!  That's actually the neighbor's, so I can't take credit for it!

But the fence is painted like an Italian flag. That's definitely something you would do.

Yes, it is.  This is in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, which historically was an Italian neighborhood.  Not as large as the Little Italy on Cleveland's east side that you may have heard from, but Italian non-the-less.  Our Lady of Mt Carmel Chruch still has a fairly large Italian festival on the feast day in July.

 

Most of the immigrants came from the same village in Italy around the turn of the century.  My grandparents came separately from the same town, Alvignano, but married here.  The story goes that his 3 sister came here to stop them from marrying, but just stayed!