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Babies - what's the big deal?

P

PaperclipGod

Banned
So, the sister of a friend of mine just had a kid. My friend is babysitting it most days. The thing is just a few months old, and does nothing but scream, shit, and projectile-vomit. However, every time I see her (or anyone else who's there) with the kid, everyone can't stop going on about how incredibly awesome the thing is. Even when someone's holding it and it regurgitates half-digested mammary-milk onto their shoulder, the reaction is "AWWW, BABY ARE YOU OK? YOU SO CUTE OMG I LOVE TEH BABY."

Seriously, why would anyone ever choose to create one of these monstrosities? They're completely useless, and are just a crapload of work to maintain. Not only that, but you're responsible for them for the next EIGHTEEN YEARS, more if you're unlucky! Let's not also forget that almost as soon as they can control their own bodily functions and not need you to scrub the poop from their ass, they become angsty, hormone-infused teenagers that hate their parents and spend their days trying to catch std's and make more of their kind.

Honestly, with nearly 7 billion people on the planet, why is each new baby greeted with trumpets and confetti? Why not adopt a kid that's already here but doesn't have parents? Why not donate the million you're going to spend raising your own useless pile of walking flesh to a charity which improves the lives of kids already here?

The other day I suggested to my friend and a couple other people that a perfect baby play-pen would be a plywood box with a dog bed in it. Or even just a big laundry basket with a dog bed in it. And the reaction I got was like... violently angry. But how is a dog bed in a laundry basket different than what's sold at Babies 'R Us, other than the psychedelic decorations and an extra $100?
 
Originally posted by: PaperclipGod
So, the sister of a friend of mine just had a kid. My friend is babysitting it most days. The thing is just a few months old, and does nothing but scream, shit, and projectile-vomit. However, every time I see her (or anyone else who's there) with the kid, everyone can't stop going on about how incredibly awesome the thing is. Even when someone's holding it and it regurgitates half-digested mammary-milk onto their shoulder, the reaction is "AWWW, BABY ARE YOU OK? YOU SO CUTE OMG I LOVE TEH BABY."

Seriously, why would anyone ever choose to create one of these monstrosities? They're completely useless, and are just a crapload of work to maintain. Not only that, but you're responsible for them for the next EIGHTEEN YEARS, more if you're unlucky! Let's not also forget that almost as soon as they can control their own bodily functions and not need you to scrub the poop from their ass, they become angsty, hormone-infused teenagers that hate their parents and spend their days trying to catch std's and make more of their kind.

Honestly, with nearly 7 billion people on the planet, why is each new baby greeted with trumpets and confetti? Why not adopt a kid that's already here but doesn't have parents? Why not donate the million you're going to spend raising your own useless pile of walking flesh to a charity which improves the lives of kids already here?

The other day I suggested to my friend and a couple other people that a perfect baby play-pen would be a plywood box with a dog bed in it. Or even just a big laundry basket with a dog bed in it. And the reaction I got was like... violently angry. But how is a dog bed in a laundry basket different than what's sold at Babies 'R Us, other than the psychedelic decorations and an extra $100?
Click to expand...

Think about how you got here, I don't have or want kids but its kinda the cycle of life.
 
Originally posted by: PaperclipGod
So, the sister of a friend of mine just had a kid. My friend is babysitting it most days. The thing is just a few months old, and does nothing but scream, shit, and projectile-vomit. However, every time I see her (or anyone else who's there) with the kid, everyone can't stop going on about how incredibly awesome the thing is. Even when someone's holding it and it regurgitates half-digested mammary-milk onto their shoulder, the reaction is "AWWW, BABY ARE YOU OK? YOU SO CUTE OMG I LOVE TEH BABY."

Seriously, why would anyone ever choose to create one of these monstrosities? They're completely useless, and are just a crapload of work to maintain. Not only that, but you're responsible for them for the next EIGHTEEN YEARS, more if you're unlucky! Let's not also forget that almost as soon as they can control their own bodily functions and not need you to scrub the poop from their ass, they become angsty, hormone-infused teenagers that hate their parents and spend their days trying to catch std's and make more of their kind.

Honestly, with nearly 7 billion people on the planet, why is each new baby greeted with trumpets and confetti? Why not adopt a kid that's already here but doesn't have parents? Why not donate the million you're going to spend raising your own useless pile of walking flesh to a charity which improves the lives of kids already here?

The other day I suggested to my friend and a couple other people that a perfect baby play-pen would be a plywood box with a dog bed in it. Or even just a big laundry basket with a dog bed in it. And the reaction I got was like... violently angry. But how is a dog bed in a laundry basket different than what's sold at Babies 'R Us, other than the psychedelic decorations and an extra $100?
Click to expand...

You have no idea what you are talking about. Let me guess you are 16 years old.

As for adoption, you need to understand the burden of adopting. Most children from institutionalized facilities have all sorts of problems. If you don't adopt a infant(less than 9 months old) then you are most likely going to have to deal with reactive attachment disorder.

Once again you shouldn't talk about subjects you are completely ignorant on.

My wife and I are considering it for our second child but we would only adopt a very young child to reduce the chances of attachment disorder.
 
Like you, I was never a big kid person. Guess that's one reason I was 34 when we had our first. Once you have your own it's oh-so completely different. I'm still not the biggest fans of kids but the one I have is the world.
 
OP, your post is exactly what I would expect from any self-absorbed late teen/early 20's person.

There is nothing I can say to make you understand, when you get older you'll get it... well, most people do anyway, some will never get it.

I thought the same thing when I was your age though, but having kids rocks your world in so many ways that it's hard to describe. Some good, some bad. I think the people who end up unhappy or with resentment are the ones who didn't understand what it would take and what kind of sacrifices they would need to make.
 
Originally posted by: PaperclipGod
So, the sister of a friend of mine just had a kid. My friend is babysitting it most days. The thing is just a few months old, and does nothing but scream, shit, and projectile-vomit. However, every time I see her (or anyone else who's there) with the kid, everyone can't stop going on about how incredibly awesome the thing is. Even when someone's holding it and it regurgitates half-digested mammary-milk onto their shoulder, the reaction is "AWWW, BABY ARE YOU OK? YOU SO CUTE OMG I LOVE TEH BABY."

Seriously, why would anyone ever choose to create one of these monstrosities? They're completely useless, and are just a crapload of work to maintain. Not only that, but you're responsible for them for the next EIGHTEEN YEARS, more if you're unlucky! Let's not also forget that almost as soon as they can control their own bodily functions and not need you to scrub the poop from their ass, they become angsty, hormone-infused teenagers that hate their parents and spend their days trying to catch std's and make more of their kind.

Honestly, with nearly 7 billion people on the planet, why is each new baby greeted with trumpets and confetti? Why not adopt a kid that's already here but doesn't have parents? Why not donate the million you're going to spend raising your own useless pile of walking flesh to a charity which improves the lives of kids already here?

The other day I suggested to my friend and a couple other people that a perfect baby play-pen would be a plywood box with a dog bed in it. Or even just a big laundry basket with a dog bed in it. And the reaction I got was like... violently angry. But how is a dog bed in a laundry basket different than what's sold at Babies 'R Us, other than the psychedelic decorations and an extra $100?
Click to expand...

I agree.... YOU shouldn't have any kids.
 
Heh the OP sounds like somebody in their 20s. I dont blame you. At that age the thought of kids was beyond comprehension. But now I am in my early 30s and something changes once going to the bar isnt the cool thing to do and you actually worry about losing your job and have a monthly house payment. Suddenly the idea of raising a child to become a productive adult in society looks like a rewarding venture.

 
Children are like poems.

They are beautiful to their creator. To everyone else they are just annoying.

I'm 30 and have 0 desire for kids. Little shit monster brats. I don't even like having to entertain relatives kids. I just have a bunch of dogs. They don't crap themselves, can be left alone, and brighten my day with unconditional love.

Plus with all the money I save, I don't have to use Geico. The folks I know who are happiest are the ones that never had kids. Too much to do in life to voluntarily burden yourself.
 
Awhile back my cousin handed me her baby while I was eating. The baby had a rash and was dripping something from somewhere. I handed the baby back to her and then she handed the baby to someone else by passing it over my plate. I discretely as possible put my plate in the garbage, washed my hands, got another plate of food. I have made a point of not eating near my cousin since.

From what I have seen, most people fall in love with their babies and sometimes with other peoples' babies too. Which is good because I think if my parents hadn't loved me they would have thrown me away when I was a week old.
 
There is a study showing happiness throughout the lifetime of a marriage.

The years before children are very happy, then the kids come along and the level of happiness goes down dramatically, only to go back up again when the kids move out.

There's a reason the rate of divorce is so high.

S&M
 
Originally posted by: MooseNSquirrel
There is a study showing happiness throughout the lifetime of a marriage.

The years before children are very happy, then the kids come along and the level of happiness goes down dramatically, only to go back up again when the kids move out.

There's a reason the rate of divorce is so high.

S&M
Click to expand...

Well, parenthood is not for the faint of heart.

I heard that the highest reason from divorcees was money.
 
I used to never want children. That changed when I realized why I didn't want them, and why I would want them. I think it's rewarding to mold another person like that. It's an amazing opportunity to produce a quality human, and also to watch them grow and develop into their own person. I always enjoyed children, I just thought I was too selfish for my own. Not so.
 
Damn it! I had a massive post. But Anandtech crashed on me when I hit reply. Was this thread moved, since that would have caused that problem?

Rather than repeat what I just typed, Look here. Children meet virtually all of those needs. They meet them faster, stronger, and better than almost anything else you could do. And children don't cost $1M unless you are an idiot. $100k will do just fine. At $100k, the investment is well worth it for fulfilling almost every rung in that ladder.

Think long term. Who is going to be your best friend when you are 85? Who will provide for you then, bring you food when you can't shop any more, help you out of your chair, and talk to you daily? Without children, the answer is probably...no one. That is unless sitting bored and alone 24 hours a day in the back corner of a nursing home for the last 20 years of your life is your ultimate dream.

I don't deny the work and the frustration that comes with children. No one really likes the crying, the messes, the teenage arguments, etc. But those are so minor compared to the satisfaction and fulfillment that they will bring. Just be sure to consider the entire 60 years that you'll likely know them, and not just the first phase.
 
Genetics for women... not sure why men do it, probably genetics also.

I would say once you hit 30, the evolutionary urges really kick in (for women especially). Personally I can't see myself having kids anytime soon, too much hassle and I've got too many things to do myself.

Also economically speaking , I don't think most people realize how expensive kids are. Had they known the full cost up front, I'd imagine people would think twice about having them.
 
Originally posted by: PaperclipGod
So, the sister of a friend of mine just had a kid. My friend is babysitting it most days. The thing is just a few months old, and does nothing but scream, shit, and projectile-vomit. However, every time I see her (or anyone else who's there) with the kid, everyone can't stop going on about how incredibly awesome the thing is. Even when someone's holding it and it regurgitates half-digested mammary-milk onto their shoulder, the reaction is "AWWW, BABY ARE YOU OK? YOU SO CUTE OMG I LOVE TEH BABY."

Seriously, why would anyone ever choose to create one of these monstrosities? They're completely useless, and are just a crapload of work to maintain. Not only that, but you're responsible for them for the next EIGHTEEN YEARS, more if you're unlucky! Let's not also forget that almost as soon as they can control their own bodily functions and not need you to scrub the poop from their ass, they become angsty, hormone-infused teenagers that hate their parents and spend their days trying to catch std's and make more of their kind.

Honestly, with nearly 7 billion people on the planet, why is each new baby greeted with trumpets and confetti? Why not adopt a kid that's already here but doesn't have parents? Why not donate the million you're going to spend raising your own useless pile of walking flesh to a charity which improves the lives of kids already here?

The other day I suggested to my friend and a couple other people that a perfect baby play-pen would be a plywood box with a dog bed in it. Or even just a big laundry basket with a dog bed in it. And the reaction I got was like... violently angry. But how is a dog bed in a laundry basket different than what's sold at Babies 'R Us, other than the psychedelic decorations and an extra $100?
Click to expand...

The irony of this daitribe is that the writer was once one of those useless poop machines. :laugh:
 
Originally posted by: dullard

Think long term. Who is going to be your best friend when you are 85? Who will provide for you then, bring you food when you can't shop any more, help you out of your chair, and talk to you daily? Without children, the answer is probably...no one. That is unless sitting bored and alone 24 hours a day in the back corner of a nursing home for the last 20 years of your life is your ultimate dream.
Click to expand...
That is the dumbest excuse to have kids IMHO. My parents and I have a good relationship, and I stay in touch with them often as to my brother and sisters. At the same time though, when they are 85 they already know that we won't be looking after them. They will be in a nursing home because they both do not want to be a burden on anyone. Anyone that expects their children to look after them after they can't take care of themselves anymore is a tool. Whats worse are the people who have kids for this reason alone, and they are out there.

If you are going to have kids you should be doing it for the right reasons, because you want one. As you get older, you will discover if you want them or not. My wife has long been told that she couldn't have kids, since before we were married to be exact. I was ok with that and we got married. Today, we still have none even though her medical conditions have changed a bit and she could possibly have kids. The situation is that she doesn't want to deal with them and has similar beliefs as the OP does about them.

Instead, we will spoil our 4 godchildren that we have been blessed with as well as be a great aunt and uncle to our siblings children. We will spoil them early and often.
 
It's social conditioning. We're programmed to believe that getting married and having kids is the only successful outcome to life.
 
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