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Or you have them and spend the next thirty years regretting it. Which almost no-one will publicly admit, due to the public stigma, and the obvious pain it would
by CJefferson 14y ago
Or you have them and spend the next thirty years regretting it. Which almost no-one will publicly admit, due to the public stigma, and the obvious pain it would cause their children. This is I think the pain point of this article. I personally know two people who wish they had never had children, but they would never come out and say that publicly.
- bane 14y agohttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9686219/I-am-bitterly-bitterly-disappointed-retired-naval-officers-email-to-children-in-full.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9686219/I-am-bitterly...
- Tichy 14y agoProbably a parody? But anyway, I think a big issue is that a lot of parents seem to think children are something like puppets which they can mend to their liking (and that have to adore them no matter what). Of course such expectations will end in disappointment, because children are individuals with their own minds.
- bane 14y agoActually no, it's been pretty big in the British papers. It's sparked a fairly large national discussion on various child rearing straegies. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2234571/Cant-boast-You-Son-submarine-commanders-broadside-father-told-children-You-copulation-driven-kids-let-down.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2234571/Cant-boast-Y... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9686721/Daughter-defends-former-submarine-captain-who-told-children-he-was-bitterly-disappointed-in-them.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9686721/Daughter-defe...
- Tichy 14y agoThat seems fairly typical: parents who are convinced they did everything right, and never realize they are emotional train wrecks. So they can blame it all on the children. Whatever - it is a complex issue, having children is not like buying a new TV. You can not predict all the issues that will arise and the emotions they will evoke. So I guess it would be wrong to propose a simple formula for child rearing, as it wouldn't apply universally to all kids. But as I said, if you have specific expectations as to what your kids turn out to be, it is probably a recipe for disaster...
- scotty79 14y agoWow. That's so bizarre. Guy is complaining that three other people that happen to be his kids don't live to his expectations and (oh God!) they don't ask his or their mother's advice. Oh. And he is ashamed when his friends brag about lives of their kids that he can't outbrag them.
- Tichy 14y agoThat's ridiculous because you are not responsible for your kid for 30 years. If you don't like them, you can get rid of them sooner. You could also send them to boarding school at a very early age. Just saying.
- CJefferson 14y agoThat depends on how rich you are, and how disabled your children are. Of course, you could just kick your disabled children out into street, where they can't look after themselves...
- Tichy 14y agoOk granted, it can go horribly wrong. Although I think there are homes for disabled people. But if that happens, it is of course very sad and not happiness inducing. I've heard stories about people who are very happy with their disabled kids, but it is not something I wish for anybody. Not sure how big the chance is to have disabled children, and if it is much higher than getting into a car accident on your commute to work. So while the risk is real, it is not necessarily a reason not to have kids.