Kids...

[The Curmudgeon]

Well, after (seemingly) losing our old friend Hackers Anonymous to fatherly duties (his wife had twins about a year ago and he's been seen on here about twice since), and with my parents always badgering me and Mrs Curmudgeon into joining the Family Plan, I wondered what everyone's verdict is on having kids.

Now, I'm not sure, but I don't THINK any regular Dwellers have kids, but if they do - that's fine. Share with us your first thoughts when you found out you were going to be a dad, what it was like at first.. all that.

For the others - can you ever see yourself having kids? It's pretty frightening to think that by the time my dad was my age he already had THREE kids. I'm pretty sure that sitting on a website talking about how much of a dick Superman is wouldn't have been high on his agenda.

I just.. I just can't imagine ever having kids. I mean, me and Mrs C buy old kids shows on DVD talking about "we'll MAKE our kids watch this stuff, dammit", but I can't see that happening. Certainly not on purpose, anyway. If it WERE to happen - different story, but the thought of kids scares me.

My brother has a son, and now my sister has a son; I'm the only one left, still living the Peter Pan life.. and I can't see me ever changing. I'm pretty sure that's not a good thing, but there you go.

So what about you, Dwellers? Even if you're single and, like, 16 (which I think Ben is) - what are your thoughts on parenthood?

[Benjamin Haines]

I don't plan on ever having kids of my own. As far as the foreseeable future goes, that's a responsibility that I not only don't have room for in my life right now but which I just flat-out do not want. Family and friends are the most important thing in my life, but when it comes to living and just getting by I really don't want to worry about another life depending on me. I've got enough stress and things to take care of as it is, so the prospect of having my options in life suddenly limited and my future changed forever really isn't something I'm looking to have happen.

I think I'll get a vasectomy. My family's health insurance might cover that, and that way I'll never have to worry about unwanted children. If I ever do change my mind later in life and decide that I want to become a dad, I'll just adopt one of the many kids in the world that are already here and need parents. With the world's population ever-growing, I don't see any reason for me to ever add any more of the little buggers to the mix.

[trashcanman]

Wait until you're older before the snippy-snippy, Haines. You won't be in college forever and a real woman will change you whether you like it or not. I didn't plan on having kids and I'd be just as happy without, but I can honestly say that when you have one it is awesome. There is no way to describe it and nothing to prepare you for it; you just have to experience it yourself to understand. Life these days is so much easier without kids, but I wouldn't trade my son for anything. I also wouldn't want another. But there is no substitute for the feeling you get having a life you made clinging to you and looking up at you with pure undisguised love in it's eyes and a huge smile on it's face. Plus: future Halo partner! On the other hand....crap here he comes, gotta go. Be back later......


.....And here I'm back. Which just goes to show that once you have a kid, you will no longer be able to do what you want WHEN you want ever again. Haines made a damn fine point: most of the world's problems stem from one single problem. that problem is overpopulation. People who look down their noses at those without children while they herd their litter of a dozen around Wal-Mart can kiss my ass. You guys are part of the solution; they are the problem.

[The Curmudgeon]

Well, hell, Trashy - all this time and I didn't even know you were a parent. You may have mentioned it before and my tired, confused brain has removed it from my conscience.

So - we DO have a parent among us. So, how old, name etc.. and what was it like when you found out you were going to be a dad?

[Ben]

Single and 16? Ouch. Wrong on both counts, Curmudgeon. Currently dating my girlfriend of nearly 8 months and 17 is what I think you meant to say. Good try though.

Personally, I love kids. My job is centered around kids. I frequently babysit the neighbors' kids. I take my 5 year old cousin around town whenever she's over. Children are great, and I truly enjoy spending time with them. I'm not a parent yet (and I better not be until I'm done with college), but I plan on having children some day. Preferably 3 or 4 of them, too.

[trashcanman]

Tyler, age 2; Satan's favorite toddler. We tried for about half a year before it happened so I was as prepared as I could have been. They say a woman becomes a mother when she finds out she's pregnant and a man becomes a father when he first holds the baby. This is true. It was almost as if my son was an extension of my wife during the pregnancy, but once I held him I was smitten. He's the reason it takes me hours to complete posts in this place. In fact, he's howling as we speak. Later.

[The Curmudgeon]

Sept 9, 2008 22:32:52 GMT 2 Ben said:

Single and 16? Ouch. Wrong on both counts, Curmudgeon. Currently dating my girlfriend of nearly 8 months and 17 is what I think you meant to say. Good try though.

I didn't presume you were single! I MEANT that you were 16. OK, so you're 17. Pfff.. these kids are so touchy nowadays aren't they? Anyway, we all know that regular Fortress Dwellers, regardless of age, have to beat hot chicks off with a stick. Right?

Trashy - Tyler's a good name. Any inspiration behind that? Fight Club? V? Or does naming your kid after pop culture figures make you a bad dad? I don't even know.

Yeah, I'd been told the "you're not a man until" thing too, which is maybe why my Dad keeps pestering me to have kids.

Another question; were you present during the birth? Like, holding her hand and letting her scream at you and stuff? I've got a feeling I would probably faint during it all..

[trashcanman]

I was in the room, but she wanted me the hell away from her. She tends to lash out when she's in pain and she didn't want me near her to be lashed at. No inspiration for the name: I let the wife have free reign (though I held and used veto power) because I really suck at naming anything that isn't a rock band. My wife's cousin was once offended that somebody asked if his son Logan was named after Wolverine. I laughed hard. I don't see any harm in naming your kid after a person or character you admire (my buddy's son's middle name is Cash after the Man in Black) but keep it sensible. No T'Challas or Frodos please.

[The Curmudgeon]

For about six years I always said I was going to name my son Exodus, after the Prince/NPG album of the same name. Because, ah, "life is a journey."

Imagine THAT role-call at school.

[trashcanman]

"Move-ment of jah peo-ple!"

More than likely, people would think you were a little too into this:

[The Curmudgeon]

No, people always thought I was on about Bob Marley.

I was always like, "yeah.. not fucking likely."

[trashcanman]

That first line in my last post was from that song, in case you didn't catch. Hating on Marley is like kicking a kitten. Just can't do it.

[The Curmudgeon]

Na, I don't hate Bob Marley. It's just my, uh, "scene". Whatever that means. Plus, people (at least over here) just pretend to like him because they smoke dope and that's all Bob Marley seemingly is about to them.

[trashcanman]

Ooh, does that shit piss me off. Fucking posers. That fukcing t-shirt/poster with Marley smoking a joint and "Catch A Fire" printed on it drives me batshit. It implies that the "fire" is to light a joint. Here's the actual lyrics.

"Slave driver the table is turned
Catch a fire so you can get burned
Slave driver the table is turned
Catch a fire you're gonna get burned"

Turn that into a lame stoner catchphrase? Piss the fuck off!

[The Curmudgeon]

"Piss the fuck off."

My new favourite phrase.

Yeah, I have nothing against Marley, it's just not my kind of music, but the whole point and attitude behind his music has been lost in some lame "stoner" bullshit. Not what he had in mind at all, I'd imagine.