I have 2, with twins on the way.:eek:

Winter project will be finishing the basement & adding a bedroom so the 16 yr old can escape from babyland upstairs.

There actually is a pretty strong negative sentiment in society towards those that don't want to have kids. Those that chose not to breed are looked down upon as being selfish and flawed. Also, those that have kids get to play that trump card often..."oh, no I can't do that...the kids you know...oh, I'll be late...have to pick up the kids..."

I have a son, but really don't have much in the way of a paternal bone in my body, so I see both sides. For years I felt bad about myself as I would look around the school yard when dropping off my son, and seeing all these parents who were obviously delighted by their lot in life. I just don't feel that. My son wasn't planned, and I never in my life have felt compelled or excited at the prospect of being a parent.

Don't get me wrong. I love my son dearly, and would do anything for him. Hell, I was a de facto single parent for the first 7 years of his life. I put most everything on the back burner. But if I had it to do all over again? It would be very different.

I guess it's this way because in the animal kingdom breeding and then defending/growing the offsprings are the 2 most important functions in any animal's life.

Also up until a few centuries ago having children was a way to secure future income (when people worked 15-16 hours a day in the fields and were spent by the age of 30).

These days it doesn't work that way. To me if you don't want kids is just fine. Most of my dearest friends are single without kids. I don't see the big deal.

Got married when I was 20 and we had our first child when I was 21 (more than 9 months) and we are still together.

Daughter 26 and son 22. Both done with college. I can't tell you how much that helped the Porsche budget.

I'm glad to be done raising my kids, it seems to be a bit more difficult now a days. But, I do think parents know more about more about raising kids with all the information that is out here. Of course, sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Honestly, I will be glad too when they have reached an age of greater independence. I love being around as a father of four age 1 - 10 but its really kind of exhausting from time to time.

Two kids, a daughter 13 and a son 11. I was in my mid 30's when they were born...I simply didn't want to either get married or have children. Meeting the right woman changed all that!

My son before a band concert. He plays the trumpet and alto sax.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1153650820.jpg

My daughter. She loves to ride...she leases the pony herself.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1153650995.jpg

O only have two. I would have a whole lot more, but I'm not from "our neighbor to the south". ;)

The new thing to do is put little stickers in the rear window of the SUV that show how many in the family. The names are there too.
Every day I see one that has a mother and father, Usually Juan and Lupe or something like that, and 6 or 8 kids.
No wonder the population is shifting.

3 kids--9.5, 8, 3.5http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1153679691.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1153679711.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1153679738.jpg

2 boys, 12 and 13. Best of both worlds... The youngest loves cars and started racing carts last year, the oldest loves guns (but can't stand cars!?), but from the time he was 8 yrs old he's wanted to be a weapons designer for the military. To this day he still has that desire. After 6 years of marriage kids was the best thing. For me having kids makes you think about things that one, you never thought about, or two, cause you to think about other issues in a different light.

With 1.7 child per adult, will that make Pelicans a less multiplying breed than your typical American dude ?

One boy whose 9 and a girl who just turned 7. I'm 43 so yes we started late. The most challenging task I ever undertook was to be a parent.

I am now in my mid-life crisis. What I am discovering is that spending money on myself (cars, motorcycles, clothes, etc...) is not nearly as rewarding as spending it on my kids or wife. Corney I know but true. Many years from now the memories of cool toys will pale in comparison to memories forged with the wife and kids.

Gratuitous pictures
 

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1153783965.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1153783977.jpg

We're too busy in the garage to come in and get some. ;)

Reproduction rates vary from native vs. immigrant in the US and also based on education levels: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1153786686.gif

I just thought it was interesting from a population growth standpoint.

Similar situation in Sweden. The core Swedish population is growing relatively smaller each year. Immigrants and particularly people with lower educational profile seem to have higher birth counts.

Gene pool dilemma ? I can manage idiots and Arabs. But Arab idiots...

Edit: Move to cancel last few sentences. Wasn´t thinking. Came from the heart..what a terrible thing to say.

I have no kids with none on the way.