03-26-2014, 12:44 PM | #23 |
Major General
5457
Rep 7,037
Posts |
Wise people has been known saying that when you look back on your life you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the things you did. I used to ski ~40 days a year split between the alps and North America, I rock climbed, scuba dived, sailed and commuted on a race bike. I've now cut out rock climbing and scuba diving altogether and commute in an M3 with child seats and pay about $6k a month for private schools and other child related costs. I still ski a lot and I never found myself regret having kids and even if I quite often miss the time before them there is no way I would want to live without them. A conondrum it seems but isn't that true about much in life?
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 12:48 PM | #25 | |
Major
177
Rep 1,105
Posts |
Quote:
Litos- LOL...how does anything I wrote give the impression I'd be irresponsible? Almost the whole thing is about what a big responsibility they are. You seem like you have a nice family. What do you do? What were your expectations and how'd that match reality? |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 12:49 PM | #26 |
Lieutenant Colonel
1086
Rep 1,912
Posts |
I'm not trying to trivialize anyone's parenthood experience but this is just about the most common reason I hear for having kids and it always seemed a little selfish to me? I'm one of those who says you should adopt if you want a kid but a lot of people really really want their own that they made... i dunno. You could turn right back around and say that I'm the selfish one because I don't want kids and it is largely for financial reasons.
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:00 PM | #27 | |
Volcano Knuckles
393
Rep 491
Posts |
Quote:
Now, adopting a child takes the selflessness level up one more notch because you could be taking on a child from Satan haha |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:06 PM | #28 | |
Captain
410
Rep 841
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
WHO'S THE BOSS
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:13 PM | #31 | |
Banned
220
Rep 2,991
Posts |
Quote:
you should already know the answer if you said yourself that you have no real burning desire to have kids...... having kids without that desire ultimately leads to junk marriages and broken families more times than not...... |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:13 PM | #32 |
Major General
2452
Rep 7,341
Posts |
I couldn't envision my life with kids for the longest time but I knew that I wanted to have them. When I met my now-wife, she didn't want to have kids. We're both in our early 30s and have a 9mo old daughter who is now our entire world. That being said, we haven't been to a movie, been out to dinner, or been on vacation since she's been born but the joy that stuff brought pales in comparison to the joy that she has brought to our lives. That's also not to say that you have to stop doing anything that you currently do. You can bring a kid pretty much everywhere and watching them learn to do the things you do is one of the great joys of the experience.
I do have friends who are extremely active and self-focused who I don't think will have kids. I always picture them growing older as Todd & Margot from Christmas Vacation. You speak of children ravishing the body like it's a given. My wife had a nice tight package when we met seven years ago and snapped right back after giving birth. It depends on the person, honestly. Unless your wife is a swimsuit model, the change won't be so dramatic and some key elements are even enhanced by the process. Some women do take advantage and gain 60lbs and give birth to a 6lb baby - that's just a lack of self control. If your relationship is as healthy as you think it is, having the focus evolve from exclusively on the two of you to your child shouldn't be disruptive. If you think it'll cause problems having the focus shift, then you probably shouldn't go down that road. That's where it seems a little selfish. In all honesty, it's a huge responsibility but it becomes routine almost instantly. It's far less disruptive to your life than you're making it out to be.
__________________
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Bimmerpost.
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude Hemi | 2010 S4 Sold | 2010 BMW 135i Retired | 2006 Lotus Exige Sold Last edited by KingOfJericho; 03-26-2014 at 01:29 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:13 PM | #33 |
Brigadier General
8908
Rep 4,107
Posts |
Yep, welcome to parenthood. Private school tuition for my kids is almost $4k per month plus other expenses. Youngest is a type 1 diabetic, every year the insurance company covers less and raises deductibles. Monthly out of pocket for his supplies/insulin is easily another $350 per month, not counting quarterly hospital visits to see his endocrinologist... Then fees for soccer teams, swim teams, food, clothing for two teenage boys that outgrow their shoes and clothes every two-three months. You get the idea...
__________________
2021 X3 M40i
1974 2002tii, Inka, 5 sp manual BMWCCA # 327475 |
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:15 PM | #34 | |
Banned
220
Rep 2,991
Posts |
Quote:
my work week is my vacation from all the activities we do on the weekend..... |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:17 PM | #35 |
Brigadier General
8908
Rep 4,107
Posts |
Ha!! Loved Todd and Margot in the movie! Have friends with no kids, nothing wrong with that decision either. To each their own. OP needs to decide whether kids are right for him...
__________________
2021 X3 M40i
1974 2002tii, Inka, 5 sp manual BMWCCA # 327475 |
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:17 PM | #36 |
Major General
5457
Rep 7,037
Posts |
My wife and I both work so this include full days care. They are also running one to two years advanced curriculum. For example my 3rd grader is following 4th and 5th grade curriculum. Her class size is 7 kids. It's pricey but for us it's worth it. The class as a whole scores in the 99% percentile nationally and my kids love it there.
Then as kscarrol mention you have after school activities that aren't exactly cheap. |
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:17 PM | #37 |
powerhouse
708
Rep 1,628
Posts
Drives: 2014 Porsche 981 CS
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Orange County, CA
|
having kids will likely destroy your life. people with kids can't ever admit that they made a life long mistake and will justify it any way possible. the thought always crosses their mind but they dare never speak of it as to be looked at like monsters.
to the person that said this thread title is offensive... don't be so dramatic. your life might be ruined but that doesn't mean this thread has to be. haha i'm just messing around. i'm really indifferent.
__________________
no signature. except for this one.
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:18 PM | #38 |
Banned
220
Rep 2,991
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:20 PM | #39 |
Brigadier General
8908
Rep 4,107
Posts |
Nope, I think his decision is made. Simply trying to say it is his choice, guess I could have phrased it better!
__________________
2021 X3 M40i
1974 2002tii, Inka, 5 sp manual BMWCCA # 327475 |
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:21 PM | #40 |
Banned
220
Rep 2,991
Posts |
for me It didn't.
kept me from doing things in my twenties that could have potentially destroyed my life... I was a bit of a loose canon back then, but when kids came around, I stopped staying up late and I stopped doing things that were hazardous to me staying alive HAHA !!!! during the week I'm all about homework, bath time and playstation with my kids.... on the weekends, we can barely stay in the house because we're always doing something awesome.... that's why I said that when I come to work, it's like taking a breather/vacation from the weekend.....I catch up on my relax time at work |
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:23 PM | #41 | |
powerhouse
708
Rep 1,628
Posts
Drives: 2014 Porsche 981 CS
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Orange County, CA
|
Quote:
__________________
no signature. except for this one.
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:25 PM | #42 | |
There is No Substitute
72
Rep 1,186
Posts |
Quote:
My expectations were all over the board. I didn't know anything. But I'd say if you're a responsible tax paying American who can hold a job, buy a BMW, and have some semblance of an education, you won't find the first kid hard at all. Some adjusting, but not life ruining. You could probably still ski, and vacation plenty. The second one on the other hand can be a handful depending on how close you have them. I've seen people mightily struggle with the toddler/infant combo.
__________________
'13 Audi A6
'07 Porsche GT3 RS '08 BMW E90 335i |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:25 PM | #43 |
Major General
5457
Rep 7,037
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-26-2014, 01:32 PM | #44 |
Major General
2452
Rep 7,341
Posts |
That's why I bought a house with a moat (literally).
__________________
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Bimmerpost.
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude Hemi | 2010 S4 Sold | 2010 BMW 135i Retired | 2006 Lotus Exige Sold |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|