Missus,

'Does anyone employ over analytical people?'

Definitely. Ever wonder why IT people have the most cynical and jaded humour? Of course it could be because they're stuck inside all day and got into computers because they lacked people skills.

And oh yes, one of them. They. They're always doin' it for the kids too. I fear for the kids of parents who do things 'for the children', or make a fuss about what they have 'sacrificed'. Way to make your kids feel like an imposition and a burden. 'I'm doin it because I love you and want nice things for you.' Or. Are you doin' it because you'd rather be at work than at home, enjoy your job, and like the nice things, and your wants (for the kids of-course) are more important than theirs. He he.

pelican,

I had zero urge to have kids until I met my current partner. She's very maternal and amazing with her nieces and nephews, and we were in love, and we had both lived a pretty wild life to that point and were struggling to keep up with the 20yos and it would have been a crime for her not to be a mother.

She sealed the deal when she accepted I would only change nappies under exceptional circumstances. I always was a good negotiator. At the time though I was already getting misty eyed whenever I saw one of these gorgeous little toddlers at the supermarket.

I figure I had explored a lot of the world and the joys of mind altering drugs and wanted to explore a more personal intimate journey, with her, being parents. It's no better or worse and I'm no happier or sadder than when I was single. But I think I would have been bored in the end unless I tried out parenthood and all it has to offer.

Well, that and the baby bonus.

BTW: I'm liking all these parents who say they are 'lucky' their kids turned out well. I think there is more luck to it than people normally make out.

Why did I want kids? Because they were/are a wonderful gift from God and my wife. Anyone who has ever held a baby, watched their first steps, prayed for them when they are sick, or seen their trust for their parents knows the joy of parenthood. To get a smile from a child is still one of the greatest experiences in life (and its free).

Examinator

No doubt their are many happy couples choosing not to have kids. God bless them. It is however sad if happiness is your aim in life. It is a varying emotion that comes and goes. Couples who choose not to have children miss out in many blessings in life. If they are happy with that so be it.

Yes, I am glad I had children. They have given me some of the greatest days of my life, and also some of my worst!

While working out in the community and in retirement villages, there is one thing I have noticed among the elderly people. The ones that never had children were the saddest and loneliest people by far.

Yes, there were many parents who no longer saw their children anymore, for whatever reason, and they were sad or angry.
However, the childless ones were somehow worse.

My sister and her husband chose to remain childless, but they simply dote on their two cats, and seem to be married to their jobs!
They seem happy right now.

Such inverted wisdom from H and so insightful.
Perhaps the most important decision one can make and his advice? Don't analyse it. Take some prozac. What could go wrong with that approach? Sadly a whole lot.

Any questions why there are so many loose sproglets without any seeming sense of family or responsibility to others?

After reading about the 12 yo who ran away to join schoolies and the parents didn't care, I wondered why some people have children at all.

Once the thrill of being a new parent has worn off some just, well, lose interest in the real work of raising the child(ren). leaving responsibility to others teachers, social workers, TV, computers etc. You would be amazed how hands off most parents are, just ask a teacher. Students that are so aggressively egocentric,self indulgent, violent etc. I wonder where they learnt that ?

My niece works for Vic social services and spent all her time trying to help dysfunctional parents get their parenting act together at least for the sake of the children.

I dealt with 14/15 yo mums who wanted a baby but beyond that had no clue what so ever. Rather than just shrug my shoulders an say 'that's the way it is' or 'they're just different from me'. I wondered what others thought about having children.

I find it difficult to imagine a more important topic that children and their well being and they aren't like something you can sensibly shove in a corner or ad hoc raising, not if you are going to do them any favours that is.

H sure I have my fun and have a sense of the ridiculous simply read some of my more whimsical recent posts. The key is knowing when to do so.

Philo, at least there one topic we agree on >"We do not need more examinators in (in?) the Earth, so it is OK to stop breding (?) them"<
I agree that I don't think I'd be much good as fertiliser.
It's a good thing I didn't breed cloning people is illegal.

Dear Examinator,

Why did I have or want children?

Because I found a grown man who was capable
of loving fully, with all of his heart.
The most vital, playful, joyful human being,
with an energetic life force born of a strong
family upbringing.

Our children flourished under our nurturing and
unconditional love.
Of course there were many difficult moments -
that's part and parcel of life,
however we've managed to raise two decent human beings
that we love dearly, and I can't wait to be
a grandmother (or "Glam-mom"), one day.

*It is difficult to describe in words the maternalistic feelings that sweep over when you have chidren, from babies until they are grown up.*

Oh thats easy Pelican. As I have stated repeatedly, just call it
"maternal hormones". :)

As they say, bodies are what dna uses, to pass itself on from one
generation to the next.