Marrieds choosing not to have kids

[calliemom]

krissalee, I just came across your post and it made me smile. Although we have 1 child (she's now 8) when she was around 2 all we got from people was ....So when are you having another one? Poor thing won't have any siblings! You can't just have 1 child! and on and on and on. That went on for a few years from both family, friends and strangers alike. I think once she entered school people actually started to believe us when we said we were just having the one. But it never ceases to amaze me at the ignorance there is out there! These are private matters between a husband and wife, whether they choose not to have children, adopt or have only 1 child it is truly not anyones business but your own.
Good for you for knowing what you want and standing by that. I'm sure your life is full with love and happiness!
Cheers!

 

[Liisa]

Just got back from my week with my in-laws, 5 yo nephew and 14 yo niece. I really enjoyed my in-laws and my niece (she was tons of fun). My 5 yo nephew, while he is pretty well behaved, I was soooo happy to be in my nice quiet house with DH when the vacation was over. I can't imagine how parents do it. It is constant 24/7. I'm exhausted. DH and I are rethinking taking my other nieces and nephews down to the World. We like it so much better when it is an "adults" vacation.

 

[maddhatir]

When we were down there a few weeks ago with BIL, SIL and the 2 kids- BIL got po'd at me and SIL b/c we kept making comments how he is a grump and does not like Disney (he IS a grump and does NOT like Disney)

He repsonded- I would like Disney MORE if I could have my 2 kids behave while I am here

I told him- NEVER GONNA HAPPEN!!!!!!! NEVER!........EVER!!!.....

Oh happy times! DH and I went our seperate ways a few times- not b/c of the kids- it was more to get away from Mr Grumpy!

 

[ChisJo]

a little off topic here folks, but has anyone ever seen the show "the 8 of us"? It's the show on TLC about the parents that have a set of 5? or 6? yo twin girls (can't remember there ages) and a set of 2 yo sextuplets? They took them to WDW! And were amazingly organized...but truly!?!?!? That amount of children = INSANE!!! Could you imagine??? I see people struggling with 2, but they have 8 kids!

 

[TKDisneylover]

a little off topic here folks, but has anyone ever seen the show "the 8 of us"? It's the show on TLC about the parents that have a set of 5? or 6? yo twin girls (can't remember there ages) and a set of 2 yo sextuplets? They took them to WDW! And were amazingly organized...but truly!?!?!? That amount of children = INSANE!!! Could you imagine??? I see people struggling with 2, but they have 8 kids!

I think the show you are referring to is called Jon & Kate plus 8. Like you said they have 2 twin girls and sextuplets, 3 boys, 3 girls. I actually watch this show, mostly because I am amazed at how organized mom is. I usually turn it off half way through because they will show all six crying and screaming at once and my ears are too sensitive for that. However I did watch the Disney episode all the way through because, well it was Disney!

Speaking of crying & screaming, we had a toddler on one of our connecting flights from Disney that cried the entire trip. This was from Atlanta to Milwaukee, UGH!! Have people not heard of Earplanes??!! And the mom kept telling the child to "shut-up, just shut-up". Amazing!

 

[sunny04]

We're dealing with some of that right now. We're still not entirely sure if we will have children. My husband has a lot of anxieties and we just don't feel that we should put a child into the mix right now. We just aren't sure if we want to have children or not.

But of course, we've been married 5 years and everyone asks and all my friends are having babies! The last time someone asked, I answered, "That's a loaded question. Just let it go." I laughed so it wouldn't sound so rude, but I don't feel like I should have to continually smile and say "Not yet..." over and over again. I think people need to realize that they don't know what they are asking about when they ask about having children. It can be a touchy subject sometimes.

Not to mention - I don't know how people can afford WDW with a family!! We're just fine taking the two of us, thank you!

 

[ChisJo]

I think the show you are referring to is called Jon & Kate plus 8.

Yep - that's the one. I couldn't remember the show's name, so thanks for clarifying.

 

[FamilyGuyDisney1965]

I have been married for 10 years and no children yet...I am too busy with work (information technology manager for small manufacturing company) and the wife isn't pushing for a child. One day, though.

-FamilyGuyDisney1965

 

[WDWguru]

FGD1965 - No offense, but read the thread before you post. At least read a page or two. "One day, though" indicates you are not childfree.

 

[TXTurtles]

We just got back and every time some kid would start screaming or having a rough time (which, fortunately, wasn't often) my DH would lean over and say "you want five or six of those, right?" I know some people are kids people and for them life without their kiddos would be like life without chocolate, coffee, and disney for me but, well, for those of us who aren't ...

And for the record I'm the one who told DH when we were first dating that if he wanted kids it would be with someone else. He was relieved - he grew up in a kid-centric area and thought that he'd have to put up with kids to please his wife. Not this wife - the two of us (plus fish) make up the perfect size family for me.

On a side note, am I the only one who doesn't see a someday wish for kids as being grounds for being voted off this thread? Unless they start chiding all of us for not having anyone to visit us in our nursing homes. Then I'll lead the voting.

 

[KirklandTutu]

Just wanted to drop by, say hi and once more thank the heavens that we don't have kids. I couldn't imagine trying to cope with kids this time of year, I have to deal with enough with producing our little 2 week long Nutcracker. oy! It's over now, tonights our annual holiday-of-your-choice extravaganza. Since it's actually solstice, we're tempted to throw in some pagen rituals...any suggestions? DH says no to a ritual sacrifice to bring back the sun god, so that's out. hahahhahah, jk...sort of *as I look outside to the gray Seattle day that isn't quite day on the shortest 'day' of the year*.

 

[Poppinsme]

We just got back from our 32nd anni. trip little over 2 weeks ago. The Poly LVC was so fabulous and the signature restaurants superb. Wish I was there now.
Lets see how many people asked us how many children we had? When we replied we were child free they seemed to be shocked that a couple our age "gasp" had NO children!
We did get a real hoot out of watching so many children running there parents ragged.
And WE were really surprised at how many children were obviously taken out of school for WDW. That shocked us both. When we were in school back in the dark ages you could never miss school unless you were sick or somebody died. Just found that odd.
All in all a glorious trip.

 

[maddhatir]

On a side note, am I the only one who doesn't see a someday wish for kids as being grounds for being voted off this thread? Unless they start chiding all of us for not having anyone to visit us in our nursing homes. Then I'll lead the voting.

Not sure how I would vote- I would say- they must be able to join in on the "oh how glorious it is not to have children" banter and mean it- if the feelings do not flow freely........

...............your outta here!


and MY "oh how glorious it is not to have children- EV-VER" feelings are flowing all over the place!

 

[Hixski]

I have to go to Costco and Target today. I am procrastinating right now because I know they will be a zoo. I will just have to put on my kid proof clothes so all the screaming and whining will bounce off me.

Hope everyone has a great holiday!!!!!

 

[danv3]

Had a family gathering at our house yesterday including a 2yo and a 7yo. Crazy. They only broke one thing and didn't pull down the tree, so that was a plus.

Pretty sure DW is 100% on board with the DINKs lifesyle now.

 

[zima-cheryl]

Everyone is so on the money - this is a wonderful time to be childfree.

I just had to share this:
Friday at work a bunch of us are talking & my supervisor mentions she got her kids a Wii. I think no big deal until she tells us that she paid several hundred dollars on e-bay plus $100 & change for shipping to get it in time for Christmas.
Her kids announced Friday on the way to school they wanted one. So on top of everything else the were getting she practically spent an arm on making sure they had the Wii!
Can you say spoiled kids?!?!?

My husband said I should have told her I wanted a raise for Christmas. After all if she was granting every wish being made...

 

[TKDisneylover]

We just got back from our 32nd anni. trip little over 2 weeks ago.

And WE were really surprised at how many children were obviously taken out of school for WDW. That shocked us both. When we were in school back in the dark ages you could never miss school unless you were sick or somebody died. Just found that odd. All in all a glorious trip.

Happy Anniversary!! We were also surprised at how many kids must have been taken out of school during the first week of December. Especially with the Christmas break so close for them. It definitely affected our decision to go back during the Christmas season, well that and the fact that there were tons of people with non-school age children too. In the past we have been pretty lucky with early February & mid-October.

My husband said I should have told her I wanted a raise for Christmas. After all if she was granting every wish being made...

I wonder how she would have responded that!?!


HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

 

[pfalcioni]

I think many of the kids that are at the parks during regular school time are home schooled. Even though it's only about 2 1/2 percent of the school population, I think they would be a large part of the people who decide to vacation when other kids aren't! At least, if I had kids and home schooled, I think that would be one of the benefits.

Also, I think many good parents do take kids out of school during non-critical times of the year. Especially younger kids. By high school, I don't think there is a 'non critical' time though!

My brother and sister in law will be going with us next year to DW, and we told them we wouldn't go during school breaks, so we'll be there on MLK weekend and beyond. They'll miss 4 days of school, but they're not that worried about it. We're happy they are willing to do this, because it'll be great fun experiencing the mouse with kids, but we're too spoiled to go when it's busy!

Of course, even though we love our nephews dearly, we'll still be staying at separate resorts, so we can have 'alone time' without looking rude!

 

[ChisJo]

We were also surprised at how many kids must have been taken out of school during the first week of December. Especially with the Christmas break so close for them. It definitely affected our decision to go back during the Christmas season, well that and the fact that there were tons of people with non-school age children too. In the past we have been pretty lucky with early February & mid-October.

I absolutely have to agree with you....The first week of December was by far the busiest time I have ever gone to WDW, but I always go during the down season. I truly thought this would be the quietest of all the trips I have gone. But, I guess with the sporting events going on, there would be more kids there. I just didn't think it would be as busy as it was. I'm happy that others agree with my perspective...I was worried that others might not have thought that!

 

[BigGreen73]

I absolutely have to agree with you....The first week of December was by far the busiest time I have ever gone to WDW, but I always go during the down season. I truly thought this would be the quietest of all the trips I have gone. But, I guess with the sporting events going on, there would be more kids there. I just didn't think it would be as busy as it was. I'm happy that others agree with my perspective...I was worried that others might not have thought that!

We went to WDW from 12/08-12/15, we have no kids, and didn't think it was any different from when we go in May. My DW and I have visited WDW during the 1st week of May the last few years. Same busy periods, pretty much the same wait times etc. It was not as slow as everyone made it out to be.

I blame all the guides and Disney websites for this. These guides emphasize the "down times" and advise to visit during these times, more and more people are pulling kids from school now to visit during these times of year.