Idiocracy

[Strangler Lewis]

I understand, NM. You're afraid.

[Prudence]

I used to not want kids - in large part because I don't want to be a stay-at-home mom. And I worry about not having the funds to provide for them the way I think they should be provided for. Or the "right" home, the "right" job, whatever. Marrying someone who wants to be a stay-at-home dad changes the playing field a bit. Plus, I confess that I'm curious to see what the spawn would look like. And there's the nagging worry that if I don't do it soon I'll run out of time.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Prudence

And there's the nagging worry that if I don't do it soon I'll run out of time.

And, time does run out - and shyt happens. Having a baby is not as easy as it seems like it would be. Especially as you get older.

frrrrrrrrgdddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd ddddddddddddddddddddddddddd

(Teaching your kitten to not walk on the keyboard is also a challenge.)

[Kevy Baby]

We have some very good friends that have three kids that we hang out with quite often.

Susan and I really want kids of our own. After so many years of trying (short of medical intervention which I don't want to do except for possible testing*), it appears that it is not in the cards for us. We have talked about adopting, by haven't done anything on that front in a couple of years.

But I also wonder what if we haven't become too adjusted to being SINK's - would the transition to parenthood (especially if we adopt an older child) become too much of a shock.

But as many a parent has told us; no matter what, you are never ready for parenthood. Yet somehow it all works itself out.

* I am NOT looking forward to wacking off into a cup at some cold, sterile clinic. That's just too much f'n pressure!

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

* I am NOT looking forward to wacking off into a cup at some cold, sterile clinic. That's just too much f'n pressure!

So do it at home and bring in the sample

[Morrigoon]

To those who want kids but haven't, for whatever reason, been able to come by them in the traditional manner, there is always adoption. Not just the tedious, expensive, American kind, but international adoption too.

(slightly off-topic alert)

I've been following the blog of a lady in the valley who adopted two boys from Russia just over a year ago, and it's been really eye-opening. Of course adopting from America is great too, but something about taking kids out of desperately awful conditions in other countries and giving them a shot at being in the lucky 3% of the world population fortunate enough to live in this country... it just makes adopting a kid that much more appealing. Given my choice, I'd like to have two and adopt one, probably from abroad. Unfortunately my mate of choice isn't so hip on the whole adoption thing, so I probably won't get to, but I think it's really great.

Anyway, that blog is: http://kaufmanfamily2.spaces.live.com/
If you go back to the first posts, they go through the whole adoption process, trip to Russia, etc.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

To those who want kids but haven't, for whatever reason, been able to come by them in the traditional manner, there is always adoption. Not just the tedious, expensive, American kind, but international adoption too.

Also, you can avoid the expensive portion of adopting an American kid by working with Social Services. If you live in Orange County (CA), you are fortunate enough to be in the area of one of the best Social Services agencies in the country. This is where we know that we will go once we get things in gear. Yes, we know that we are probably getting into a special needs situation, but this is okay with us.

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

...If you live in Orange County (CA), you are fortunate enough to be in the area of one of the best Social Services agencies in the country...

On behalf of my coworkers and myself, Thank you!

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by JWBear

On behalf of my coworkers and myself, Thank you!

I did not know that's where you worked JW.

Susan and I went through all of the adoption training through the county, but did not follow-through because we wanted to make one more effort to conceive (although the folks were VERY interested in having us adopt because of our backgrounds - they envisioned adopting siblings!!!). I think it is time to revisit the topic as we ain't got no bun in the oven.

When we started (looking at adoption), we did some research and that's when we discovered how good the department was.

Kudos to you and your co-workers!

[Alex]

Here's my view on "you'll make great parents."

I have no idea. Many incredibly nice people make for horrible parents and plenty of otherwise rotten people make for great parents. People who manage to produce one great kid will find that the other one turns out rotten even though they were exposed to the same parenting.

So with all the friendly emotion I can muster I say "If you become parents I'm sure you'll work hard at it."