-=> Quoting Janada Oakley to Jean Halverson <=-
 JH> Then there are the people who think I'm crazy. Believe me, that
 JH> comment  gets old. Of course, with age My husband and I have
 JH> come up with some  stinging answers to some of the more stupid
 JH> questions. It seems that just because we have a large family,
 JH> people think they have  the right to ask incredibly personal
 JH> questions.
 JO> Then you are getting the opposite end of the spectrum that I get
 JO> because I chose not to have children. I figured out, oh, about 25
 JO> years ago it was not for me. I have never even slightly regretted it.
 
 Good for you. Some people don't realize they're not cut out for it until
 it's too late. When we started out it was our total desire to have children.
 We didn't argue about it or anything. As a matter of fact, we discussed it
 in depth before we were married. That's not to say that we didn't have
 problems, but we were (and still are) committed to our marriage and our
 children in that order.
 
 JO> I just think people should do what is right for them and what they
 JO> are comfortable with. You seem like my mom, and I think that kind
 JO> of person has a very special gift. She is "Mom" first and foremost,
 JO> all else takes a back seat. That is what *every* kid needs and
 JO> deserves, but it's also far more than I would ever be able or
 JO> inclined to give. I am still a kid and will always be one. I may be
 JO> selfish, but I'm just really glad I realized it *before* I had kids.
 JO> It's not like you can try them out and send them back to the
 JO> manufacturer if they don't turn out to be what you expected.
 Yeah, I've seen so many people treat kids like they were pets. Once the 
 newness wears off (at about 2 yrs of age) dump them into daycare. None
 of my kids ever went through a "terrible two's", not even the ADD one or
 the hyperactive ones. I personally believe that it is just a matter  of 
 perception.
 
 Jean Halverson
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