Childless couples are happiest.

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

To this first part it is easy you offset the joy of the word daddy with season tickets.

The later is more complicated which is why I advocate for adoption and parents in their 40's, people in their 40's are generally more financially stable and have had a chance to experience some of the world, provided of course they have not been saddled with kids. I think this combination allows for the freedom needed for happiness at a young age and the comfort of family when your old.

You know the NFL is struggling somewhat with attendance because people are finding it more entertaining and comfortable to stay at home, avoid the chaos of the parking lots and expensive food and big crowds? I had season-tickets onc season to the Blazers. It was far more work than it's worth, IMO. For others, they probably love it.

 

[Norman Dale]

To me, it's like what the grandma said in the movie, "Parenthood". Some people like the merry go round (which I would say is more like couples without kids) and some people like roller coasters (which I would say is more like couples with kids). As a father of 4 with kids ages 10-14, I prefer roller coasters, especially ones with steep drops, high rises, and a lot of loop de loops.

 

[MarAzul]

I feel the same way. I wouldn't trade my girls for anything. I can understand where this survey is coming from, but I don't think it tells the entire story. It's not easy to be the same in your marriage after you have kids to love and parent. It changes everything, for both good and bad. The positives far outweigh the negatives for my wife and me.

As time goes by, I have come to realize I would if I could trade my kids in for a new and improved model. But Grand kids are the best I can do. Dang! My grand kid are great and you can't get those without paying the dues.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

We're still talking couples, though. You're tied down when you're in a relationship, much of it's just in different ways.

Call me a bad father..... cuz pretty much...... I do what I want.

I do go fuck around town all the time. Sometimes by myself, but I actually kinda have more fun with my older daughter with me. Sometimes, I chill in bed and watch TV all day. It's actually better with one or both of my kids chillin'.

Practices...... Mom and grandma take them. Sometimes, I want to go and I go. School? Sorry, dude. I don't get this one. My daughter's school is on the way to work. And, I consider it a reward. Sure, the stay-at-home soccer mom's rollin' in their $80-$100K cars is kind of annoying, but I've never seen so many beautiful, in-shape women in yoga pants in my life. My daughter didn't go to school today - color me quite disappointed, honestly.

As for money, I spend a lot of money on myself (and the house). Just bought a ton of stuff for myself, actually (I'm not going to list it all because, one, I don't want to come off as bragging; and two, I don't trust you stiffs here not to try to jack my shit).

Meh. I think it's all in perspective and personality. To each his own. I'm a big kid. So, if I'm going to be "tied down", there are plenty of times I'd rather spend it doing kid things with my kids than being grown up with the wife.

So basically you can spend less than 10 minutes per day on your kids? rad. i guess its not so bad

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Its all about the housespouse yo, if you got a good one they take care of all that shitty shit like its their job. Which it kinda is

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Its all about the housespouse yo, if you got a good one they take care of all that shitty shit like its their job. Which it kinda is

Yeah, but you have to have to find a good place to hide your blow.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Yeah, but you have to have to find a good place to hide your blow.

I hide mine up my nose

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I hide mine up my nose

I only use it to lure young impressionable daughters to my abode.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Dude, always go to their place

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Dude, always go to their place

Hell no man. I have no roomates. I have it down to a science.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

But then they can cock stalk

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

But then they can cock stalk

I live in an apartment. The fuck are they going to do, knock on my door after they wait for someone to buzz them in? Besides, I'm never home. have fun with that!

 

[The_Lillard_King]

There are clearly good (and bad) aspects to having children and not having children. But I don't know how one can say they have just as much freedom with children as they do without.

During the grade schools years alone (K-8) . . . you can't, as a couple, decide to go to Canada or Fiji or Hawaii or whatever pumps your blood at the spur of the moment. Taking a week off during the school year is the best time to travel. Truthfully, traveliing during "school breaks" or holidays suck compared to traveling when all the kids are in school. It is cheaper, less crowded and easier when all the kids are in school.

And let's face it, selfish people do not make good parents (which is why teens having kids is often a reciepe for disaster). If you are going to have kids, be ready to sacrafice your own personal needs to put the needs of the kids first. It what most good parents do.

Now of course the trade off might all be worth (often is) as you develop relationships and memories that can't be bought. But there are trade offs for both having kids and not having kids.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Having a child is one of the most selfish things one can do. Its basically to reproduce a little version of oneself to show them off to the world and to live vicariously through them.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

I live in an apartment. The fuck are they going to do, knock on my door after they wait for someone to buzz them in? Besides, I'm never home. have fun with that!

Meh, I always liked my sanctuarium to be devoid of unharnessed emotions

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Having a child is one of the most selfish things one can do. Its basically to reproduce a little version of oneself to show them off to the world and to live vicariously through them.

This is just silly man. The meaning of any organisms life is to reproduce. Its the only reason anything is alive in the first place

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

This is just silly man. The meaning of any organisms life is to reproduce. Its the only reason anything is alive in the first place

The meaning of life is to live, man.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

I'm all for not having kids though, definitely don't ever do that. Its just not for everyone, and you prolly won't ever regret not procreating, unless you are a woman

 

[3RA1N1AC]

The meaning of life is to live, man.

And in 150 years there will be a few turtles, and then nothing. Shitloads of Styrofoam fingers tho. Were #1!

 

[riverman]

Having a child is one of the most selfish things one can do. Its basically to reproduce a little version of oneself to show them off to the world and to live vicariously through them.

Please, never have children! I'm not into having unwanted or unplanned children but man, you don't have the skillset to do it if this is how you feel. If you think a child is a little version of yourself, whaahahahahahahaha! SURPRISE!!! Jim Morrison's dad was an admiral in the navy....not quite a clone?

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

So basically you can spend less than 10 minutes per day on your kids? rad. i guess its not so bad

Ha, yeah, I suppose so. It's not what I do. But my point is my kids don't ever hold me back from doing anything. They never have.

But even more than that..... I would rather spend time with them than do most other things. Sure, I occasionally need some time to myself, which I've never had an issue getting. But pretty much anything I like to do, I like to take my kids to, and it's more fun, IMO. It's like Norman Dale said a few posts after my post......

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Its all about the housespouse yo, if you got a good one they take care of all that shitty shit like its their job. Which it kinda is

Winner winner turkey dinner.

My wife is bomb. She makes good money. Is more responsible than me (except when it comes to business/money), so I still get to be a 21-year old in a lot of ways. Cooks dinner nearly everyday. Let's me have friends over every week for drinks and sports (and will make us snacks). She cleans.

I'd probably feel way different about a lot of aspects in my life if it wasn't for my wife.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

During the grade schools years alone (K-8) . . . you can't, as a couple, decide to go to Canada or Fiji or Hawaii or whatever pumps your blood at the spur of the moment. Taking a week off during the school year is the best time to travel. Truthfully, traveliing during "school breaks" or holidays suck compared to traveling when all the kids are in school. It is cheaper, less crowded and easier when all the kids are in school.

Not totally true. We just got back from Hawaii. Booked the trip 3 days before we left, and the kids stayed with grandparents.

We've been to Victoria, BC, Hawaii, going to Spring Training in March and San Francisco last week of May/first of June.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Hell no man. I have no roomates. I have it down to a science.

For the record..... 99% of the time, roommates are WORSE than kids.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Having a child is one of the most selfish things one can do. Its basically to reproduce a little version of oneself to show them off to the world and to live vicariously through them.

Whoever is having kids for selfish reasons doesn't understand what it takes to be a good parent.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Not totally true. We just got back from Hawaii. Booked the trip 3 days before we left, and the kids stayed with grandparents.

We've been to Victoria, BC, Hawaii, going to Spring Training in March and San Francisco last week of May/first of June.

Well safe to say, and you must realize having kids and associating with other parents, that your situation is not the norm.

Most parents don't have someone they can drop kids off to and expect all their needs will be taken care of while parents take off on some vacation. Also, most parents are limited in their vacation time and will spend that time vacationing with "the fam".

You seem to have a good amount of money to travel, large amounts of vacation time and grandparents willing to take care of kids while you go and play. Life is good for you . . .

 

[PapaG]

During the grade schools years alone (K-8) . . . you can't, as a couple, decide to go to Canada or Fiji or Hawaii or whatever pumps your blood at the spur of the moment. Taking a week off during the school year is the best time to travel. Truthfully, traveliing during "school breaks" or holidays suck compared to traveling when all the kids are in school. It is cheaper, less crowded and easier when all the kids are in school.

We took the girls to Disney World in early December 2012. They missed a week of school, but it was before any breaks, and it was after all of the XMas stuff was up in the parks. Awesome trip, and the girls were old enough to ride all the rides, with almost no lines. We would get off of Tower of Terror, Aerosmith Coaster, Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain Coaster, or whatever, and be able to basically only wait one or two rides before getting back on board. During the late nights you get if you stay at a Disney Resort, we literally would rest in between rides, and watched the firework show at Magic Kingdom while riding Thunder Mountain as a family 3 or 4 times. Conversely, we went to Disneyland last Spring Break, and spent most of the time in lines, or waiting until it was our FastPass window.

 

[PapaG]

Having a child is one of the most selfish things one can do. Its basically to reproduce a little version of oneself to show them off to the world and to live vicariously through them.

You must have had one fucked up childhood, if that's what you really believe. I'm not saying that people should have kids, either. It's not for everyone, but most parents I know aren't living through their kids, and the ones that are stand out to the rest of the parents.

 

[PapaG]

Well safe to say, and you must realize having kids and associating with other parents, that your situation is not the norm.

Most parents don't have someone they can drop kids off to and expect all their needs will be taken care of while parents take off on some vacation. Also, most parents are limited in their vacation time and will spend that time vacationing with "the fam".

You seem to have a good amount of money to travel, large amounts of vacation time and grandparents willing to take care of kids while you go and play. Life is good for you . . .

Yeah, I think it's fantastic that BG has grandparents close who will take care of the kids on a whim. My wife and I don't have family within 5 hours of Portland, and both my mom and her parents travel quite a bit. Our spontaneous trips tend to be quick trips to Bend or the coast, or this weekend, to Seattle to hang out with my brother and his family.

 

[julius]

Can you drop everything at a notice and just go anywhere, do anything you want? If you want to stay home and just lay in bed and fuck around town all day by yourself, can you?

Or do you have to take your kids to soccer practice? Do you have to take them to school? Do you really have to go to another stupid birthday party for other spoiled entitled brats when you'd rather be chillin.

That's being tied down.

Yeah, but how often do you actually go anywhere you want, and do anything you want? That sounds like a very short sighted, 20 something mindset.

If money/adventure is your excuse for not having kids, then do us all a favor, and don't have any kids, because it sounds like you'd be one of those dads who doesn't get it.