BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids Do you like kids?

Many of you have said that you like kids, but you don't want any of your own. I completely understand that, but I bet there are lots of people out there who don't!

So let's talk about it.

How many of you actually like children but don't want any?

How many of you don't like kids, and that's why you have chosen not to have any?

Kim
MNK Editor

I don't like kids, especially babies and younger kids. Once they get in their teens it's not so bad. I don't even really like being around my niece and nephews on my brother's side because two of them are little monsters (their mother hasn't taught them any respect for others or manners) and the other two, while much better behaved, are ages 2 and 5 and are constantly on the go. We don't see them very often as they both live out of state, and when we all get together, we have little chance to visit with his sisters, brothers-in-law, and parents because the kids dominate everything. It's exhausting.

I have one niece on my side and she turns 14 this year (on my birthday <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ) and we get along quite well. Hubby and I are pondering kidnapping her sometime and taking her on vacation with us so she can see other parts of the world she probably won't get to see with my brother or her mom (they are divorced and her mom would just as soon not be bothered with her most of the time).

I like kids - when they belong to someone else! Oh, and when they are not screaming!

I work retail, and the number of uncontrolled, spoiled, bribed children is amazing! They scream through the whole store, then the parents give in and they learn that that behavior is okay. They get rewarded for it!

I know this is the fault of the parents, not the kids, but it leads to the intollerance of kids in general.

I have two nephews and a niece, whom I love dearly, but after a few days visit, I'm ready to come home to some peace and quiet!

I have the same feeling as bell. I don't like kids especially the young ones. Babies are the worst and look like aliens. After they reach the age of being independent they aren't too bad although I do hate...no...pity how teenagers think they have life all figured out when in reality they don't know squat. I have only held a baby once because I was forced to babysit for a woman once, her stupid boyfriend went to the bar with thier 6 month old son while she was stuck at work, and damn what a pain in the [censored]. I couldn't walk away for more than a minute without the kid getting into something. Luckily my mom got home 45 minues later.

I am VERY uncomforatable around children. Babies and toddlers especially. I just don't understand them. And they make me WAY nervous. You just don't know what they are going to do -- what makes them cry, or STOP crying. And I never know if they are understanding me when I'm talking to them, or what they want, or anything.

This has caused MANY fights with my SIL about my neice and nephew (with her, if it wasn't this, it would be something else...but still).

I have a young cousin who is 10, and we took him for a week last summer. We had a great time! It was fun to hang out with a kid who had reached an age where he could actually have a conversation with you.

Even though we had a fun week, my husband and I were glad when it was time to return him to my aunt and uncle!

Kim
MNK Editor

I like my kid just fine. It's the others that [censored] me off!

AM~

I have liked certain kids, but in a general sense, no I don't like them. I was never exposed to kids growing up, so I am sure that helped shape my views.

I LOVE kids. In fact I have four of my own. They bring me so much joy and I could never imagine my life without them. Sure it's hard but who said being a parent was easy?

And you are here on the married no kids board why? Of course having kids is hard. Life is hard. Welcome to reality. Doesn't mean everyone has to like the little monsters.

I relate this not on my own account, but as the point of view of my best friend. She was the first female physics Ph.D., graduating top of her class from Stamford, MIT, etc. She worked in Research at Bell Labs for her entire career, and I could go on, but it doesn't matter.

She married the love of her life and neither of them had any patience for the unceasing needs of infants. She said she knew that she wouldn't have been able to do what she did if she had to take care of children. I asked her about the loss of their combined genius to the future, and she was quite honest that reproduction is roulette. Their genes wouldn't necessarily replicate. They could have a damaged child just as easily as anyone else. I've queried her so often on this because I love my own son so much.

But what she did do was adopt orphans and strays to the limits of her incredible ability. She had a troubled and confused young housekeeper that she virtually raised, although the woman, now 50 is still clueless, she is safely married to a man who loves her and she him.

She took care of every lost animal that came to her door. Full vet, the whole nine yards.

She takes care of me. She never goes shopping without buying a cartload for our house. She visits every day for a chat and tea. We have shared countless hours of intimacies.

She has helped me raise my son since he was 5. He's now 14...and just did a fabulous job on his SATs due to her tutelage.

So, whatever many answers you may get from people who chose not to have children, they are all different. I wouldn't put the lack of love for children at the top of the list.

She called her childlessness, "Enlightened self interest."<G>

Best regards,