*sigh*

[micki76]

Well, IMO there's bragging and then there's "driving everyone nuts". My boss is at the driving everyone nuts stage. She has her daughter in law bring the baby to the office where she babysits him (my boss and her husband own the business). She and I basically share an office with a half wall with a doorway separating us. I can see her if I look up and she can see me, and we're about 8 feet away from each other. I get NO work done when he's there and I'm almost to the point of quitting. He was there twice last week and the week before he was there 4 days! We are in the busiest possible time of the year and I can't stand it much longer. He cries and whines and laughs and Grandma gets beside herself. All I hear is look, come see, guess what he did, can you get his bottle?, etc. ENOUGH! She gets zero work done. Now, why doesn’t she babysit him at home? I have no idea. She leaves me to run the office alone a lot when they’re on vacation and whatnot, so it’s not a trust or competency issue.

When he's not there she's talking almost non stop about what he did, that he touched his toes, what clothes she bought for him, yadda yadda yadda. She's more than aware that I don't like or want children and yet she yammers on.

I know my mother in law doesn't like or want dogs, so I usually only speak of them when asked.

Noah is cute and I like him to a degree, but his Grandma is about to lose a good employee in me.

Willie, I'm sure my parents did go on about me, hopefully only to family & close friends that they knew cared. I hope they didn't regale strangers or co workers with tales of me blowing bubbles with my spit.

[aly]

Originally posted by WolfChan

Is a baby a "complete blessing" if it's born to a 16 year old mother still in HS who is not financially/emotionally prepared to deal with such a thing but keeps it anyways out of obligation? Is it a blessing if a woman stops taking the Pill so that she can force her boyfriend to marry her? Is it a blessing if a man get a woman pregnant without her consent to force her not to leave him, make her dependent on him? What if a couple is on welfare and struggling to survive? Homeless? Passes on some horrible genetic defect? Just don't have the common sense to raise a child that will be a decent addition to the human race? Has HIV?

That is a completely different issue that I don't even think was addressed in this thread. I was under the impression you guys don't like it when *any* parent talks about their kids too much.

[trayi52]

Why Micki, I bet you was so cute blowing little spit bubbles, hehehe.

Work is no place for a child, I agree there.

When I had my children I wasn't thinking about overpopulating the world. And to be honest, I still don't think about that. There are people that may not have money, but I have seen a lot of happy children come out of these kinds of homes.

You don't give your children everything anyway, if you did, they would be spoiled beyond belief. Children having children is just plain sad, I have seen a lot of teenagers with babies. Some at the highschool showing off those pictures of those babies. Not all are miserable because of it. Some turn out to be great parents. Some don't, just like some people don't end up being good pet owners. I love my children, my grandchildren, my pets, they are my life. I am one proud mother, grandmother and mother to my pets. Just soooo proud!

Willie

[CathyBogart]

Aaah, Micki put it right...There's bragging, and then there's carrying on. I'm sure my parents talked about me to others, but I hope they didn't drive anyone mad! I doubt somehow that they did, as they both know that there is more to life than reproducing. I was never my mother's whole world, and I'm very grateful for that.

Aly, you're right, I ust don't like hearing about other people's kids no matter the situation. I'll listen to it to a point, but after that my brain shuts down and I just want out. If it's a day in day out thing, I stop talking to them. Easiest solution to the problem. I can't IMAGINE being trapped in a situation where I culdn't get away from the drivel, like a workplace.

[Logan]

The points are well taken. Aly, Willie and any others that "like" to hear about our kids, I can certainly share our "brags" with you by PM!!!! In fact, Willie has already heard my latest!!!!! Such a shame that we could "bore" all of you with something we are so proud of!!

[Stenograsaurus]

Children are gifts from God and I am honored that he has trusted me with His little angels. I feel sorry for anybody who cannot see a child as a blessing. THEY ARE OUR FUTURE!!!! And I also did not think of "overpopulating" the world when I decided to have children. I was thinking that the love that my husband and I share will always live on in the lives of my children long after we're gone.

[ILoveReptiles]

Originally posted by Stenograsaurus
Children are gifts from God and I am honored that he has trusted me with His little angels. I feel sorry for anybody who cannot see a child as a blessing. THEY ARE OUR FUTURE!!!! And I also did not think of "overpopulating" the world when I decided to have children. I was thinking that the love that my husband and I share will always live on in the lives of my children long after we're gone.

It really must be nice to be so blissfully ignorant of the degradation of the environment. I noticed how you said you didn't even give a thought to overpopulation.

Thanks.

[trayi52]

ILoveReptiles
What do you think should be done? Do you think the human race should just be wiped off the face of the earth? Its like she said Children are our future! Remember you used to be one too. Do you think you mother should have not had you?

Are you really thinking about a world being overpopulated or are you just thinking about how much you hate children. You done said you didn't like children. Well we do, we love our children, and would not change the fact that we have children and grandchildren for the world.

Willie

[catnapper]

Originally posted by ILoveReptiles
It really must be nice to be so blissfully ignorant of the degradation of the environment. I noticed how you said you didn't even give a thought to overpopulation.

Thanks.

Yes, the world is losing its natural resources. If you are so worried about overpopulation, quit your job (that way you wouldn't have to listen to them yammer on about their kids) and become a social worker working for planned parenthood. You'll have a field day handing out pills and condoms and never having to deal with kids ever.

I'm tired of trying to respond nicely to this thread. I am not able to have children of my own. Its something I've known since I was 16, so I've had half my life to deal with it. God knew what he was doing when he made me this way... I'm not of the temperment to deal with young babies... but thats me. I love my step kids completely. I am proud of them and brag about them. I've already said that I'm guilty of that. I do agree with you that people waxing poetic about a baby sitting up and late night feedings is more than enough information. I also tried to get you to see that everybody has their own thing that they talk inccessantly about. ME? I'm tired of hearing you whine about hating baby speak and the environment. Get a grip... you're coworkers are probably as tired of hearing you whine about babies and the environment as you are of their baby sotries. If I were your coworkers, I'd be bringing that tape of the birth into the conference room just to torture your selfish butt.

[ILoveReptiles]

That's really funny. I'm the selfish one now. I find that highly amusing.

*laughing* Whatever. I already know everyone has their own little things they like to obsess about. But that doesn't mean I have to like hearing about them.

And as for trayi52's response: Some days I think that might actually be an improvement. And yes, I really am thinking about overpopulation.

[trayi52]

No more than we like hearing how you hate children. You never said one word about the environment when you started. Not one word, just that you were not fond of children.

I can understand WolfChan, she has always stated her beliefs here out front, and I respect her for that.

[popcornbird]

Originally posted by ILoveReptiles
It really must be nice to be so blissfully ignorant of the degradation of the environment. I noticed how you said you didn't even give a thought to overpopulation.

Thanks.

We have enough resources on earth for everyone. Unfortunately, those resources aren't divided evenly. Some people have too much, some have too little, and some resources aren't in the hands of anyone, but the fact is, God has made enough for all of us.

People don't think of overpopulation when they have kids. They think of their lives, their family, their future. Do you want the whole world to stop reproducing, so that after this generation, the whole human race will be wiped out? My goodness. Its only NATURAL for human beings to have the desire to bear their OWN children. Yes raising an orphaned child is incredibly rewarding, and a wonderful thing to do, but still, there is a different feeling when it comes to a child that developed in your own womb. I cannot comprehend the hate both you and Wolfchan have for children. I mean, I can understand people not liking kids, or getting annoying them, but hating them as if they were trash? Gosh! Remember.......you were children once. I would wonder how you would feel if your parents didn't love you, or had the same feelings towards kids as you do. I would hate to even think of my parents not thinking of me as a blessing, or even my relatives.........aunts and uncles not thinking of me as a blessing. I know you don't choose to have kids, but will you also hate the children of your brothers/sisters? Will you never show them the love that every child deserves from their aunts? I honestly, find that very, very sad....... I can understand you not enjoying too much kid talk, but all this hate for kids makes me incredibly sad.

Pets bring love, they bring joy, they bring happiness, but they don't live as long as kids, and they won't be able to care for you when you reach old age, and they won't be able to help you when you have financial burdens etc. (when they grow up). Kids and pets are a whole different issue. They don't compare. Just ask any parent, and I'm more than positive that they will tell you they love their kids even more than they love their pets. It is only natural.

Ps. Logan, you can brag to me as much as you want......you're very welcome to.

[ILoveReptiles]

Originally posted by trayi52
No more than we like hearing how you hate children. You never said one word about the environment when you started. Not one word, just that you were not fond of children.

I can understand WolfChan, she has always stated her beliefs here out front, and I respect her for that.

Well I wasn't aware I was under any obligation to include that at the beginning, seeing as this did start out as just me venting about my frustration at hearing people constantly talking about their kids.

I can respect that you are sick of hearing me yammer on about how much I can't stand them. So I guess we're even on that count.

As for always expressing my beliefs - well, I'm sorry you don't think I am clear enough in that respect.

[trayi52]

Very well said Poppie! I couldn't agree more!

[Cataholic]

WOW. Having gone from childless to childsoon in Zero to 4 months, I don't know what to say. But, I will come up with stuff as I type.

I really see the issue not one of "I don't like to hear you talk about children", but one of I am not really into what you talk about. Be it children, rats, snakes, pets in general. I have some friends that are NOT into weighttraining. Not. Not. Not. They don't give a poop in a diaper about what I do and do not lift. BUT, they do love me. They love my joy. My energy about life, and are interested in me. That means, they put up with (and make the appropriate comments about) things they don't really **care** about. That is what friends/family/people do. It is kind of what keeps life going on. We can't all care about everyone's everything. But, we can all be kind, respecting, and **gasp** polite, and indulge others in their child babble.

That is what I see as missing from the equation with ILR and WC. It doesn't seem so much as your position against children, but, your position against things that don't interest you. That **could** be considered selfish, or self-centered, and is **usually** a trait I see in younger people.

I can't imagine saying, "I hate children, or people that talk about their children". It seems kind of harsh to me. Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But, what is it that you are truly opining? Your hate of children? That is just kind of sad.

I don't know if I feel these things because I am expecting? Am overly sensitive? I don't know. But, I want you both to know that what you are saying, or, maybe how you say it, does not paint you in a pleasant light, for most people. Consider another way to argue your position. Because if it is one you are truly serious about, your message gets lost in the format you use.