We're childless, but are trying to have children. However, I completely sympathize with those who remain childless by choice because that's what it all should be - a choice. I would be lying if I say that I don't enjoy our childless status as much as we do want to have children one day.
I can not tell you how many times we get that assumption. Worse than that, someone finds out what my husband does for a living and asks me why I bother working. Who cares if I have a career too. For the record, we aren't swimming in disposable income either, though we are comfortable.
Drives me crazy!!
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Even I acknowledge that not all children grow up to be criminals
... too many do for my liking though
As per the topic... I can't stand the stereotype that all child-free people are rich. My husband and I get by, but we're not rich, not even "well off" most of the time. Just another reason not to have kids, because we really can't afford them (ontop of not really wanting them for a plethora of other reasons).
__________________
Goodbye To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
My wife and I probably wont have children.
I have one biological daughter from a previous marriage, but we likely wont have kids and we're anything but rich.
We do fine given our meager income.
I certainly wouldnt decide to have kids based on what someone outside her and I thought about the matter. Not a chance.
Do whats best for YOUR family and ignore anyone who tells you that you need to have children.
My husband and I are rich by no means but we do have a set amount of discretionary money each month factored into the budget. If a kid was added into the equation not only would we have no fun money but we'd be in the line of needing help with expences. It's easy to be frugal and stay within the budget when there is just two. I do get tired of people assuming we have more disposable income than what we do because we don't have kids though. (it's all about managing it well)
I've been on the receiving end of this assumption before. What really gets me is when people who have kids that clearly cannot afford them tell me I don't know what it's like to be poor because I don't have kids to take care of. Makes me wonder if these people know what causes kids in the first place, as if they have no control over what comes squirting out of their bodies.
Anyway, I like to remind these people that I pay taxes on schools, teachers, and text books that I don't use, I pay taxes on playgrounds and parks that I don't use, I pay taxes on WIC and other public support that I don't use, and I don't get a break on my taxes for having extra kids to care for. They should be thanking me for contributing to the upkeep of their spawn.
I'm a real curmudgeon about this topic.
Yes, I couldn’t agree more. Just figured out in my adult life so far I paid over $150,000. In school taxes. Another thing that bugs me is that until recently I had to pay 4 times as much for medical insurance because there is no plan for just husband and wife. Has anyone else been caused a DINK? Duel Income No Kids.
I think one step into our teeny one bedroom apartment would show that we are by no means rich. We are able to get little things we want sometimes, but yeah if a kid were factored in we would for sure have to be in the "need help" line.
Thriftiness not Childfree-ness gives us extra income
Originally Posted by fuzzymel
I never understand why people assume this.
Yes children are very expensive but that doesnt mean that us childfree are sailing around in yachts (though I wish it were true).
They should realise that we are paying more in tax etc because we dont have kids so not that much better off.
Does anyone else find people assume you have a lot of disposable income?
Yes, in fact, most recently it came up, with a friend of mine whose baby shower I was helping plan! That was a fun conversation.
We might have slightly more than her and her husband, but we also have higher education levels, more student loan debt and jobs. We also shop at thrift stores for mostly everything, whereas they have less education, she does not work and they think getting a $30 shirt at the mall is a good deal.
I get frustrated when my friends with kids act like I'm swimming in money because of my choice not to have children, especially when I see them spending mass amounts of income on hundreds of dollars of Christmas presents, super new cars (a used car runs just fine and cost thousands less) and getting all of their house and clothing needs met by the local mall.
The irony to this topic is that if my husband and I were rich, we'd have children by now! Why? We would be able to afford to provide for a child including being able to afford a house, a new car, private school, doctor's visits, health insurance including kids, college fund, and all of that. The reality is that we aren't rich nor will we ever be rich down the road. We do have nice disposable income but not to the point we can provide all of the above. This leads me to the next question:
Those who are in well paid positions, say, doctors, corporate lawyers, business CEOs, university administrators, etc., are they more likely to have families vs. to those who aren't working in these kind of jobs because they're financially capable to provide for their families? Or it doesn't matter? Would a rich person who is childfree or childless be frowned upon compared to those who don't make a lot of money?
I always believe if any Christian who happened to be blessed financially rich they are in a good position to give and help others and to make the world a better place, regardless if they have children or not. I'd fall in this category if it was the case. I don't want to keep all of the riches to myself. It makes me uncomfortable especially there are so many people suffering in our world.
The irony to this topic is that if my husband and I were rich, we'd have children by now! Why? We would be able to afford to provide for a child including being able to afford a house, a new car, private school, doctor's visits, health insurance including kids, college fund, and all of that. The reality is that we aren't rich nor will we ever be rich down the road. We do have nice disposable income but not to the point we can provide all of the above. This leads me to the next question:
Those who are in well paid positions, say, doctors, corporate lawyers, business CEOs, university administrators, etc., are they more likely to have families vs. to those who aren't working in these kind of jobs because they're financially capable to provide for their families? Or it doesn't matter? Would a rich person who is childfree or childless be frowned upon compared to those who don't make a lot of money?
I always believe if any Christian who happened to be blessed financially rich they are in a good position to give and help others and to make the world a better place, regardless if they have children or not. I'd fall in this category if it was the case. I don't want to keep all of the riches to myself. It makes me uncomfortable especially there are so many people suffering in our world.
I've always found it rediculous how much it is to have a child in the U.S.
My husband and I have no additional healthcare right now - so yes we'd have to pay for teeth cleaning or optomotrist appointments, but EVERYTHING baby related - GP visits, OB/GYN appts, ultrasounds, hospital stay, pre-natal classes are all free in Canada.
Even if I wanted a Midwife or Doula instead of an OB, it's still free.
I cannot imagine the added stress of having to pay for every little thing while pregnant and birthing!
Holy crackers, a lot of people literally /can't/ afford to have a child in the U.S. it's no surprise why the abortion rate is so high all things considered. (and if I understand correctly, abortions /are/ free in the US under planned parenthood, right?)
....It's too bad they only pay for babies to get aborted and not to be born.
Peace,
- Niffer
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Thriftiness not Childfree-ness gives us extra income 
Linear Mode
