BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids Dedicated CF, questions feelings because of a dog?

Sophia7, GREAT observation!!! It's wonderful that you have your nieces and can experience what it's really like having kids around. When I was younger, I "totally" couldn't wait to grow up and have kids, but I ended up doing a "lot" of baby-sitting over the years. While it was fun to baby-sit, I was always glad to be able to go home too.... haha. :)

Please remember a dog is nothing like a kid. I have 6 dogs, they are my babies, I adore and love them and my husband and I call them our kids. But they are NOT kids which is why we enjoy them so much. One of my dreams is to be able to stop working and stay home wiht my dogs. Interstingly if I had human kids Id never be able to afford to stay home with them and give them the quality of life I think human kids should have.

I also think there are people who dont want their own kids who have strong nurturing insticts. I do. I love animals and I teach chilren with severe disabilities. So I do have a nurturing side, but I dont want my own kids.

I once knew a women, a vetrinaria, who when her dog died decided to have a baby. She wound up regretting her decision somewhat. Of course she adored her daughter but her life was not what she had wanted.

This is interesting I'll tell you I am not particularly career oriented, but I shudder at the thought of having children. I, however, I love my dog very deeply, like a sister! Did you ever think that the reason you didn't want kids was because you feared that you would treat them as your mom treated you? Now that you have this dog, you see that you are capable of this sort of love. Is that a possibility?