...point being, kids require sacrifice.

I think of the S-class I could have been driving in lieu of day care expenses, the times my wife and I sustained on Ramen noodles because a case of soy formula and a box of Pampers wiped out our food budget.

Now I deal with foregoing a tranny swap due to kid needing braces, not planning a cruise because club soccer fees are due, or some other expense.

And now that the child is a teen, gratitude goes out the door!

But I regret NONE OF IT!

Like some here, I married on the other side of 30, and my lackluster bachelor days held no fond memories anyway, so I was destined to devote my life to raising a family.

So I spend my weekends at soccer games instead of golf links...no biggee, I suck at golf!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Which loves you more: Wife or dog?

Test: Put both in trunk for 4 hours. When you open the lid, which one is happy to see you?

That one is my 1st niece...her mom is sitting down in the 1st row and has the little blonde one on her lap! (She's the mom of 12!! )

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M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
.
“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

Maybe it is just me but I value loyalty in a relationship above most anything. To me, loyalty is pretty much everything. The rest is details. I can forgive anything my wife can do wrong except disloyalty. I have never had to question the loyalty of a dog I raise. Can anyone say that about any child they raise? Can anyone guarantee that till the child dies or the parent dies, whichever come first, the child will be as loyal as a dog I raise? I think not

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Holy crap what a hot ticket thread this is....sorry I haven't posted earlier been super busy. I still don't know. I sincerely appreciate everyones help on this topic...really I do. I apparently still have a lot of thinking to do. I guess me and the wife have a lot of talking to do

Deciding to reproduce is a very difficult decision and I think it often has little to do with selfishness or unselfishness and a lot to do with a general evaluation of the possibility of a meaningful and pleasurable life for the child. Lots of human suffer so adding to that quantum of suffering is not something I want to do. On the other hands, lots of humans find their lives satisfying. Contributing to that quantum of satisfaction is itself satisfying. I did it once at age 41 and so far I'm satisfied with the decision.
Having a child however, puts a serious dent in your right to suicide. It's something worth considering. (I saw Sunshine Cleaning last night)

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

If I knew what kids would be like I woulda followed through during the act at a much younger age.