Babies - Why to have them?

[bvlgari]

Anybody thought about that?

[want_to_believe]

oh yes I did , but I can't figure it out . Thats why i don't have kids.

[SoSo]

I didn't want kids when I was young. Then they just happened and they're the one of the biggest blessings in my life. Helping and guiding them to be competant, to cope with their lives, to help them be successful, happy and not get caught up in the cr*p that goes on these days is tough. But it's one of the most rewarding things to see them grow, how they develop, how they interact.

Now I have three - and they are all a delight. Their growth and success gives me great pleasure.

That's why...

[KatyF]

It's probably genetic, but I think most people would feel that something is missing in their lives if they never had kids.  Mind you, dogs are great too.  You can raise them, teach them, watch them interact with their peers, and they're always delighted when you come home!

[bunnychow]

I'm more of a cat person.

[want_to_believe]

I miss my dog  

[Dianne]

No kids.  Definitely don't feel there's something missing. Never really went through a "must have kids before it's too late" phase.

[humid climes]

I don't feel anything is missing in my life.  I have lots of love from many people.  Friends and family I share my life with.  We watch each other grow.  Help each other.  I learn things every day and have interesting experiences.

Kids are great.  People seem thrilled to have them.  But they are not necessary for a fulfilling life.

[beachy]

The trouble is that you can't choose your kids.  With the best upbringing and love in the world they may still turn out to be little sh**s, causing you nothing but heartache.
The real reason could be one of ego and vanity, that one wants to create someone in their own image!

[boardsurfer]

God, it would mean looking after another me...I couldn't handle that.

I wouldn't mind adopting a 30 year with their own family...you know bypass the whole looking after them thing.

[Collie Entragian]

While it seems that the no-kids and the parents have their own views and sort of saying that what the other party says is just a justification of their current condition, to me the parents have been in both position (didn't have kids and now have kids). So maybe they are better positioned to evaluate objectively.

It is all genetic/biological/natural to have kids... that's one of all species's surviving skills, to procreate and to want to procreate.

[SoSo]

Collie Entragian
I'm sorta with you there - but I wouldn't say that everyone should have kids just to find out whether they were right in the first place or not! After you've got 'em - you can't hand 'em back!

Everyone to their own - no problem with that. Certainly, if a couple believes they want to keep their attention for themselves I would never push them into having kids which requires giving up a sizeable element of that attention in favour of dedicating a significant portion of your life in supporting children.

Beachy - as far as I am concerned it's not about creating someone in your own image - that isn't bringing up children to be successful since it's important to try and help your child develop their own skills and identity that will help them succeed for themselves. I'll also argue that you CAN "choose" your own kids - it just depends on how you bring them up - right from the first weeks.  A child's basic foundation of character, views on right/wrong, good/bad, attitudes to other people are developed in the first 4 years. Unfortunately this is when parents tend to let their kids do as they want....

[beachy]

Sorry, but it's 'NATURE' over 'NURTURE' that wins hands down in my experience.  

[SoSo]

Then I find that very sad.

[want_to_believe]

humans are not always following there natural instincts, they are intelligent ( at least most of them   )  and they choose whats best for them. That is the big difference between humans and animals. Almost every animal has offspring regardless if they can supply food / shelter ot not. Humans can choose to do so and can also calculate if they can afford the offspring or if other things like a new car or kitchen are more important