I'm glad I was born, but I cant see why my parents or anyone else would want kids. Nothing but stress, and money spent...until he/she reaches 18..you're a slave. Say good bye to your personal life.
Quote from Pekelo:
We, the stupid and clueless parents. And the schoolsystem too...
Quote from acronym:
Nice snow, uptik! Havent seen snow for 10 years or so.
Some very mushy hail, but no snow.
For you parent type folk, were your kids planned or not, and if so/or not, how does that effect your veiw now on having a family?

Quote from cashmoney69:
I'm glad I was born, but I cant see why my parents or anyone else would want kids. Nothing but stress, and money spent...until he/she reaches 18..you're a slave. Say good bye to your personal life.
Quote from bigmoose:
I have two daughters, 18 and 16. My life really started the day my first daughter was born. As they have gotten older, my toys have diminished, and theirs have increased. Sure there was stress, trials and tribulation; but there was and is a joy without bounds.
Last week my oldest was in one of those 1st time situations with the outside world. She was interviewed by a CEO. She was cool, calm and collected. When she got home, the hug was one I will remember forever, as she said, "Thanks for your guidance. He asked all the questions you said he would, even asked them in the order you predicted!" To see your kids be able to take what I learned the hard way, add their own talents, and move out faster and father to make the world a better place is my joy.
I don't know any trade that would come close to the joy of hearing "Papa, I love you" from either of my kids... as you might imagine we do a lot together as a family. I had a heart attack 7 years ago, Sarah was 11 and Rachel was 9, I didn't know if I would see them thru to "grown up." I thank the Lord for each day, that I was able to be there, to wipe away their tear, to hold their hand, to teach them, laugh with them and some day help them go forward with their husbands and have their families.
The joy is in the giving...
Quote from a529612:
The Million-Dollar Kid
Government figures put the total cost of raising a child at $279,000, but some increasingly common expenses can send the number soaring over $1 million. Where you fall on the kid-spending spectrum.
By EILEEN DASPIN and ELLEN GAMERMAN
March 3, 2007; Page P1
The government says families in the top-third income bracket will spend $279,450 to raise a child born in 2005 through age 17 -- or about $16,000 a year. The government clearly hasn't been to some kids' birthday parties lately.
http://online.wsj.com/public/articl...IdiKJX_7u4_20070401.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top
Quote from ElCubano:
monthly cost to feed a toddler... $200.00
monthly medical and schooling for a child around $1000.00
watching your kid score a goal in a little league soccer game... Priceless...