> I have to clarify one thing for you though. Having a > family IS extremely gratifying but it doesn't come at the > expense of freedom. Simply put, your priori

> I have to clarify one thing for you though. Having a > family IS extremely gratifying but it doesn't come at the > expense of freedom. Simply put, your priorities change. > What may seem like a loss of freedom to you now, will > probably become less and less important to you as you take > on a family. Hmm. I'm glad this is true for you. It's certainly not true for me (or most parents I'm close friends with). Don't get me wrong, I love my wife and daughter and wouldn't trade them in. But I have mourned my adventures lost and I expect I will continue to do so. It's certainly also true that emotionally well-balanced people don't dwell too much on the impossible, and I strive to find joy in the very different opportunities parenthood presents. I also have found my priorities adjust with partnership and parenthood, so some adventures no longer have the same allure. But I would never counsel unattached people that parenthood doesn't entail dramatic loss of freedom. That just sounds like crazy talk to this parent. Rather, I'd say: parenthood can be wonderful! But I sure recommend getting your fill of adventure before embarking on reproductively oriented sexual activity.