i have just had a long tiring and noisey afternoon, i get called over to my aunts to help move furniture so me and my mum help finish that quickly, but my baby cousin was also there well not really baby shes 4, either way, after finishing that, we stay for a while and i get attacked for the rest of the afternoon by her while yelling in my ear and jumping and spitting all over me i am now suffering numerous paper cuts and bruises, a stinking headache and the desperate need for a vasectomy
all i can say is, i am never eeeeeeeeeeeeeeevvvvvvvveeeeerrr having kids, i am off to wash the remanents of this day off of me.

Don't say that Craig! Yeah they r like that............but its part of their charm. Besides, if they would have done the opposite it would mean they don't like you, and do you really want that?

DON'T ASNWER.

What can ya do.

When I was little, there were no other kids my age on my street. Nearly 18 years later and the street is full of them. There's this one little bugger who's always playing in the road on his bike. My Mom almost ran him over the other day because he came up the road so fast, she didn't see him and almost backed into him. He dropped the bike and went running to his mom. She went and casually picked up the bike, never saying a word. Fortunatley I like on a side street with almost no traffic or he'd be road kill by now. If I had done that when I was his age, I would have gotten a good yelling and the bike taken away. I think he's five, somwhere in that ball park.

As he seems to hate kids so much I often wonder if our Ozzy is cut out to be a teacher. LOL 

Look at this way Craig. It could be much worse. At least you can give her back when you get fed up. Enjoy those little whippersnappers while you can. They soon grow up into 'orrible teenagers. Just joking. I'm very fond of young people of all ages.

Quote:

One of the most vital criteria that!!!

   I have never cared much for children either, this is not a criticizm or meant to offend any of you parents either, but it has been my experience most of my life that the majority of kids are the most annoying things I have ever had the misfortune of being around.
  My brothers kids are not too bad, they always seem to be fairly well behaved and they are very smart, the oldest one which I believe was 4 or 5 the last time I was there, kept wanting to show me all his games on the computer, that was kinda cool, at only 5 years old.
Most kids I have ever been around want to run around and scream and make a mess of everything, or climb all over you (I freaking hate that).

Quote:


  Nothing charming in my opinion about noisy rugrats that climb and drool on you, I personally prefer it when kids stay away from me, I let them know real quick that I don't like them, usually by saying to them "I don't like kids, so why don't you go annoy someone else", if this upsets the parents, I am more than happy to leave or have them leave, but most people who know me, know better than to bring their kids to my house and realize that I don't come to their house because of the kids.

Quote:


  I absolutley agree with this statement, like I said, my brothers kids are cool, He has taught them about computers since they could comprehend, and they also love airplanes due to my brothers interest in aviation, but I know people who let their kids watch wrestling and shows of that nature and they always want to hit you and throw things, I don't go around those people anymore.

Quote:


  Not me, I can't stand the creatures, I always hated being a kid and couldn't wait to grow up, I kept to myself for the most part because I thought other kids my age acted like little retards, I only had a couple of friends growing up, it was hard to find anyone that I could relate to, or that I could stand.

  I don't have any kids of my own (that I know of), and I always vowed that I would never have any, partly because I can't stand them and partly because I hated being a kid so much and wouldn't wish that torture on anyone.
Now that I am approaching 40, I think about it now and then because I sometimes wonder who I'm going to leave all the cool crap I've accumulated to when I croak, so who knows, maybe someday I'll have one of my own, but I don't know what kind of father I'd be, you can't spank your kids anymore because you go to jail for child abuse, how would you discipline them? grounding don't do sh*t, I used to love being grounded, I would sit in my room and draw pictures if I wasn't allowed to listen to music.
  I always come to the conclusion that I can leave stuff to my brothers kids if I never have any of my own, I kinda like my peace of mind, and we have a lot of breakable stuff, and kids love to break things, also I have no desire to share my toys with some little brat, even if he is mine.

I'm with you, I don't like to be around most kids. Even when I was younger I didn't associate with many kids. I still don't have a social life, but there's another reason for that now

I thank god that I am no longer a child.

When I was little, My parents always told me to go to bed at 9:00 PM and no later, do my homework, wake my @55 up at 7:30AM (for elementary and middle school) and wake up even earlier when I reached high school (6:00AM). EVERY SINGLE DAY UNTIL I Graduate.

Finally, after 18 years of putting up with all that CR@P, I am finally free!!!!!!! And I am a high school graduate with a REGULAR diploma (no special )

Well, almost free. Now I'll have to deal with 6 weeks in the Air Force boot camp (starting Feb). Waking up to the sound of drill sergeants screaming at you in the face at 5:00AM, running god-knows how many miles per day, standing at attention for almost eternity.

When I set foot at boot camp and hear those drill sergeants for 6 weeks, I will then see my entire childhood life thrown out the window and say bye-bye while I'm crying. After that, I will miss being a kid again because I was lazy, a brat, a trouble-maker, etc.   .... and I didn't have to go to boot camp (not even work).

But, oh well. That's how life is. For those of you who are still young, I suggest that you enjoy your childhood life for as long as you can. Because after you graduate, say bye-bye to FUNVILLE and say hello to LABORVILLE. LMFAO

Quote:


So you expected to maybe discuss 'War and Peace' with a four year old?  Even as teens kids lack the maturity that we do at say, 35.  Thats why they're called children.  I must tell my twins two dozen times a day not to do something, but just because I have to exercise patience with them doesn't mean I don't enjoy having them. 

Funny how it's the people who don't have kids who are saying they don't want them.  The people who do know what value they have without having to be told.  Even when Olivia is screaming her head off in the middle of Wal-Mart I wouldn't change it for the world.  It's simply the greatest experience ever.  Even better than food.

It is understandable for people in their 20's to say they never want kids.  People that age are still experiencing life as a new thing and don't want to give that freedom up.  You cannot be selfish and be a parent.  But as you mature (I am not implying immaturity her in a bad way, but simply as a lack of experience) you realize that a time comes when you need more than that and the only thing that really matters in life is family.

Quote:


Shouldn't take jokes so seriously!   All I'm saying is I don't expect my 15-16-year-old friends to think of nothing but pussy and partying...Thats a retarted statment, nevermind.  Yeah, okay, I expect them to talk 'bout those kinda things, but not all the time! 

And how come when I say, "I hate kids, I don't want any." Parents say, "Oh well, it'll be different when their your own!"  It takes a lot of effort to raise a kid, and a lot of money.  I don't have either.  And I have little patience.

Sock

Sock:

It would seem we are on the same page after all.  Our opinions are closer than you might think.


Paz:

What you may not realize is that when they are screaming their heads off like that, any type of reaction to it is a reward to them.  Just the fact that you acknowledge their screaming encourages it more.  Yes, I get plenty of dirty looks when one is screaming, but the only thing to do is nothing at all.  That behavior must be ignored.  It's not the parents being inconsiderate, it's being a good parent.


Loomex:

21 Month old Alexander is a computer geek.  If I don't remove the chair from the computer desk, he is up there literrally every time I turn around.  All I have to do is look sternly at him and he knows to get down.  He sits on my lap while I play FS.  ANYTHING with a button on it grabs his attention.  He walks around with my cell phone and pretends he talks on it to mommy.  Since I do not spank children (only a barbarian hits a child) it takes the message a lot longer to get through.  You are correct when you say all it is is to divert their attention, but you have to do it about six hundred times a day.

I must say, I am rather offended. It is indeed true that some children can be little pests, but like Ozzy said, it's the parents. I'm only 11, but my parents raised me correctly, and so not all are bad, so you should not be so hasty to accuse all children of being pests.

This is a tough one... I don't think you can always blame the parents when a kid is disruptive... remember he/she has friends and they can pick up some traits from those friends too.

Regards,
Stratobat

Children..... ...?

I have five children of my own... ...!
Daughter: age 50
Son: age 45
Son: age 41
Daughter: age 37
Son: age 28
(Perhaps a secret one: age 31...).... ... ... ....LOL...LOL...LOL...!

Grand-children: 8 of them... ...!
Great-grandchildren: 4 of them... ... ...!
...at the last count...but there could be more... ...!

...not to mention all the step children and their off-spring, etc, ...zillions of them... ...!

..and the REALLY NICE THING about being a Grandad and Great-grandad is that their parents take them back home at the end of the day, and leave me with peace and flippin' quietness....Oh, joy.... 8)...!

I love the big one to bits, but the little ones...mmmmm...!
..been there, done it, don't ever want to do it again... ...!

I wouldn't mind a bit of "practice" breedin' now and again, but big-boobed, nymphomaniac, 18 year-old floosies* don't seem to fancy me any more.. ...!
...Buggar... ...!
LOL...LOL...LOL...!

..and as for other peoples little buggars children...well... ....!
I offer them Laburnum flower sandwiches, made with the florets from the tree in my front garden....Tee-Hee.... ...!
...only jokin'....(I think...)... ...!
LOL...LOL...LOL... ...!


Cheers all... ...!
Paul.
(England)

P.S.  *...if any Member knows of someone who fits that description, please phone me on 044 XXXXX
XXX XXX.... ...!
Thank-you...

Quote:


Hi Fido.... ...!
...it's all true... ...!
I will be 70 in a few months time and my signature photo was taken this Summer.... 8)...!
My eldest daughter was born when I was 19, the sort of usuall activity you carried out in your teens.... 8)....!
...nuffin' new there... ...!
My youthfull good looks, full head of hair, having numerous motor-cycles, etc, etc, are due to not having screaming kids hanging around my ankles now, or a woman continually bending my ear at every opportunity, and total sexual abstinence for the past 30 years... ... ... ...!

(Mind you, a bit of sexual activity "practice" now and again wouldn' t go amiss)..... ...!

LOL...LOL...LOL...!


Cheers mate... ...!
Paul.
(England).

Let me tell you something, everyone.

For those of you who have little kids in your life, I suggest that you keep an eye on them. In fact, you'll soon wish that they were little brats again.

Why do I say this? it's simple. Once they reach middle school, you'll start losing a little bit of control over them because they will soon (in a few days after they get to middle school) be adopting some so-called traits from other students (like cursing, bad attitude, skipping classes. hehe).

You think that's worse? Wait till they get to high school. Soon, you'll be watching your kid like a hawk.

Let me warn you. Once those kids turn 18, all hell will break loose.

Symptoms:

Age 13: This is age where kids now become teenager. As a result, those teenagers will start feeling the urge to curse and start having a negative attitude towards teachers. However, I had an ecounter with a bad teacher who talk like a dictator when I was in elementary.

Age 16: WATCH OUT!!!!! This is a common age when teens start to have the urge to get a driver liscence. First, they will want to take DriversEd in school and then they will get their restricted. Then you would see them rush to the nearest DMV (driver motor vehicle) to get their operators liscence.

Age 17: This is where the teen will start to get a job (possibly earlier) at publix. LOL They will do this not only for money, but also to pay for the expensive insurrance whenever that teen starts to wanna drive your Ferrari. and using it to get around and dragg race. LOL

Age 18: OMG!!!!!!!!! Soon, you'll see your own flesh-and-blood turn into a thug. And if it's a girl, she'll be really expensive (buying make-up to look like Britney Spears, or starts to hang out with 2 or more guys that you never met.  ).

Note: Watch out when your kid turns 18. Chances are, he might execute his right to own a fire arm and may start drinking. but don't worry, some states in the U.S. require a teen to be 19 in order to be declared an adult. Here in Florida, the requirement is 18 and I'm turning 19 in 5 days.

PS: This post should not concern those who don't have small, elementary, children.

Yeah, you just slammed me.   But a least you said you're sorry.   But, I'm a teenager, and I don't like us very much.

Sock

Well, my 2 cents:
Being a parent is loads of work -- yes, caring for my 1-year-old is not easy. Sleep deprivation, stress, etc. But the rewards far outweigh the travails. I'm 43 and feel fortunate that I'm a dad. Seeing the baby grow and develop and communicate and reach milestone after milestone is an experience that I cherish. Yes, some people simply have no interest in becoming parents, and that's fine, but I'm sure that many people in their teens and 20s who claim to "hate kids" eventually see parenthood as a natural progression and a role they embrace.

A good friend of mine has a sticker on his pickup which says:

"Hire a teenager while they still know everything"

I really just glanced through this but I will give my 2 cents, then I need to get back to work.

My whole life I always looked at children as a 'burden" to raise. I was used to my free for all life. I did whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Other people’s children totally annoyed me. I always would say to myself in a restaraunt,"shut that kid up", or if I was on an aircraft, "Geeze, can't you control that kid!! Then as I got a little older, for me in my life this would be around 30, I met my wife. Things were great; we did what we wanted, when we wanted!! We discussed children but I always was a little hesitant. Well as you know, if you are married, the "unexpected' can happen. 

Now I am the kind of guy that in any situation, I can deal with it and get through it. So as it happens, I was somewhat shocked and very happy when my wife told me she was pregnant.
All of a sudden your entire life changes.
When you have done all that I have and experience so much, I was ready for this little package to enter my life. Nobody really teaches you how to be a parent. You just try your best and raise your child the best way you can.

It is funny. Now when I am at a restaurant, when my daughter starts to act up, I understand the stress of this situation. I will get a look from some young couple and I say you myself, "that was me".
Hell, I am taking Madison on an Embraer 170 next month! That is going to be interesting!! But you know what. She is my daughter and we just need to get through it. My wife and I have disciplined her very well and she is polite, respectful and kind. She is only 2 so she has every right to act up and be herself. I am sorry to the people who "do not understand"; then again you do not need to. I did not need to nor did I want to understand this  before we had Madison. To me it was simple, "control that brat!" 

As you go through life's stages, your priorities change. When you are young, it is hard enough to take care of yourself, nevermind somebody else. Having a baby is the farthest thing from your mind. As you move along and accomplish different goals, all of a sudden you get to the point where you say, I am now ready for this. For some people it is 20 years old, some it is 30 others it is later and for some, they don't want children. (That was me only 10 years ago)!
I am 35 and my wife is 38. We both are not getting any younger. Your entire family all of a sudden becomes your "entire" life. That entire house I am biulding is for one purpose. To keep my family safe and warm. 10 years ago I was worried about what club I was going out to or how am I going to nurse this hang over! 

When you CREATE this little person who relies upon your every action, when you look into their innocent eyes and see yourself, when you look at your wife and your little child as they sleep, then and only then will you understand what having a child is about. I am still very new to this and I am learning every day.
To sum it all up, I will say that I fully understand what many of you are saying and I was in the same boat. I was lucky enough to have a healthy child and I can now look at it from the other side of the fence.
Having a baby changes EVERYTHING!!

So here is a picture of Madison and she is the reason My life changed. It has all been for the better. I can’t picture my life without her now.


Funny thing life is……..
“It’s my life and it’s sure fun……another season of my life’s begun……
another race I’m glad I get to run,……another chapter of my life I’m writing.
No I’m never going to feel like this again….time’s rushing by me like the wind….
Got to grab each moment while I can…..cause I’m never going to feel like this again”.


Dave's disclosure: This is only my view on children and family. My views and lifestyle do not reflect the "norm" of everybody. It is just my outlook and everybody's desires and goals in life are different. You can go through life single and never have any offspring and still get all that life has to offer. 

Plus, who is going to put my teeth back in my head when I am having wheel chair races in the retirement home! LOL
Dave  8)

OH BY THE WAY,
I GUESS THIS WOULD ALSO BE A GOOD TIME TO TELL EVERYBODY,………
BARBARA AND I ARE EXPECTING OUR 2ND CHILD IN MAY!!!!!
We found out last week and it is still in the early stages but what the heck.
I was going to post an announcement today anyway. 
Thanks for starting this thread Craig! LOL

Dave, she doesn't look to happy in that photo

Fly2e, You have a cute little girl there, but of course mine is much cuter (biased opinion of course!)
Your right, I would never trade back my kids for freedom. With them I can get away with acting crazy
Chris

I love kids - here is just one of the reasons:

Quote:

nice one!

(you see,we germans DO have a sense of humour! )

Okay, yeah, I guess I was joking.

I haven't read this all so bear with me.

As the school I go to includes both A-level students and children form 10 years old I am given alot of responsibility towards the little kids and in fact I am in charge of organising activities of 10-12 year olds. I am 16 and doing my first year of A-levels. I used to not like kids and sneer at their behaviour but then I realised they I used to talk about absolutely insignificant drivel. I actually find it quite liberating to talk to them about nosense rather than things like "OH MY LIFE IS AWFUL" or "isnt the world in a depressing state." In fact the other day I was toalking to an 11 year who was explaining why he wouldn't do anything unless it at least 60% fun and I found rather amusing.
    Don't dismiss kids the're fascinating creatures. Yes they are exsausting. Yes they are non-sensical. Yes they are sometimes intensely annoying little buggers, BUT they can make you have a positive impact on your life.
    I have discovered that being violent towards them won't work if you act all big and tough and patronising they will not respond. I found the best way is to treat them as a person and have rigid rules that have set punishments. If they do something wrong PUNISH THEM don't say "oh dear you shouldn't of done that but run along" thats AWFUL parenting. They must know that the punishment is coming as well because otherwise they wil think it is unfair and act even worse, they are not very logical thinkers.

I like kids and hope to have some one day.

Silly little Buggers.

Crumbso

P.S. Remember your Monty Python, Always look on the bright side of life.

Why thank you kind sir.