What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

[SJHovey]

Re: What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

There is no question people are waiting much longer today to have kids. I'm sure there are a variety of reasons for that including delays in getting married, financial reasons, etc... Personally I think it's an unfortunate development.

I think about my parents situation. They were 23 and 24 respectively when I was born. That seems pretty typical for their generation, as a lot of my friends had parents who were of a similar age.

My parents first became grandparents at ages 48 and 49. They are now in their 80's, still in really good shape mentally and pretty solid physical condition, and they have three great grandchildren.

If you asked them I think they would tell you that some of their greatest joys in life have been the ability at what is still a young age to enjoy the grandkids, whether it's taking them fishing, going on vacation with them, watching them through high school and college activities, etc... You get all of the joy of children without the financial or other responsibility of being a parent.

If you wait to have a kid when you're 38, and your kid does the same, you're 76 when that grandbaby arrives, assuming you're still alive. Pretty unlikely you ever see that kid play high school hockey or graduate from college, or ever get married.

[Kepler]

Re: What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

I despise the word Xennial for some bizarre reason. I prefer Oregon Trail Generation. ��

That can't be right, even ironically. I played Oregon Trail.

[Kepler]

Re: What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

There is no question people are waiting much longer today to have kids. I'm sure there are a variety of reasons for that including delays in getting married, financial reasons, etc... Personally I think it's an unfortunate development.

Personally I think you're not a woman. Having a kid young overdetermines a woman's entire life unless she's rich or brilliant. Dr. Mrs. happened to be the latter. She was lucky. 99 of 100 women in her place would not have been.

Many women, and all the ones with a modicum of intellect, want to be something other than your baby factory. Get over it.

[St. Clown]

Re: What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

There is no question people are waiting much longer today to have kids. I'm sure there are a variety of reasons for that including delays in getting married, financial reasons, etc... Personally I think it's an unfortunate development.

I think about my parents situation. They were 23 and 24 respectively when I was born. That seems pretty typical for their generation, as a lot of my friends had parents who were of a similar age.

My parents first became grandparents at ages 48 and 49. They are now in their 80's, still in really good shape mentally and pretty solid physical condition, and they have three great grandchildren.

If you asked them I think they would tell you that some of their greatest joys in life have been the ability at what is still a young age to enjoy the grandkids, whether it's taking them fishing, going on vacation with them, watching them through high school and college activities, etc... You get all of the joy of children without the financial or other responsibility of being a parent.

If you wait to have a kid when you're 38, and your kid does the same, you're 76 when that grandbaby arrives, assuming you're still alive. Pretty unlikely you ever see that kid play high school hockey or graduate from college, or ever get married.

I'm 41 and just now starting the process of trying to spawn another generation to suffer my genetic flaws; my wife is 34. It's Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!

[St. Clown]

Re: What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

That can't be right, even ironically. I played Oregon Trail.

The younger kids were born when Oregon Trail was commonplace on school PCs, not the rare special prize for the lucky kids.

[Kepler]

Re: What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

The younger kids were born when Oregon Trail was commonplace on school PCs, not the rare special prize for the lucky kids.

I actually played it in beta testing and I was in my 30's.

I had no idea it was actually boot strapped off a 70's program. I thought it had been deliberately created as 8-bit retro.

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

Re: What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

Biologically it’s easier to have the kids younger for sure, and def better on the grandparents.

But with the student debt being racked up, no paid maternity leave and no healthcare for many and crazy day care costs, I think many women are realizing they can try a career or have a baby early. If they want to pay their loans off they need to be working.

[wolverineTrumpet]

Re: What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

Biologically it’s easier to have the kids younger for sure, and def better on the grandparents.

But with the student debt being racked up, no paid maternity leave and no healthcare for many and crazy day care costs, I think many women are realizing they can try a career or have a baby early. If they want to pay their loans off they need to be working.

Yup. I would love to be able to interact with grandkids and watch them grow up. It would be nice to be born into a place or time where a family could get by on a single income, or have affordable childcare options and not have a motherhood career penalty so that having babies in my 20s would be an option.

I know we've discussed this elsewhere.

[SJHovey]

Re: What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

Personally I think you're not a woman. Having a kid young overdetermines a woman's entire life unless she's rich or brilliant. Dr. Mrs. happened to be the latter. She was lucky. 99 of 100 women in her place would not have been.

Many women, and all the ones with a modicum of intellect, want to be something other than your baby factory. Get over it.

Jeebus, who peed in your Cheerios this morning.

All I said is that I think it's unfortunate that people either are compelled to or feel the need to, or even elect to start having children later in life. Basic life expectancy reasons are going to deprive them of some of life's great joys.

I don't judge wolverineTrumpet or others for starting later. I feel bad that their financial, work or educational situation basically requires it. As I said, whatever the cause, it's unfortunate. You live only so long as the last person who knew you is alive, and the people who are most likely to remember you are your family members. I wish more people had a chance to experience time with more generations of their own family.

Come down off your farking high horse for once.

[wolverineTrumpet]

Re: What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

Jeebus, who peed in your Cheerios this morning.

All I said is that I think it's unfortunate that people either are compelled to or feel the need to, or even elect to start having children later in life. Basic life expectancy reasons are going to deprive them of some of life's great joys.

I don't judge wolverineTrumpet or others for starting later. I feel bad that their financial, work or educational situation basically requires it. As I said, whatever the cause, it's unfortunate. You live only so long as the last person who knew you is alive, and the people who are most likely to remember you are your family members. I wish more people had a chance to experience time with more generations of their own family.

Come down off your farking high horse for once.

No, Kep's on the right track here. It's not a person's position thing, but more of a societal thing. My financial and educational situation is better than most American's. But, I'm still a woman living in present times. So while I graduated debt free with a degree from a top engineering school, I still need to find a way to maintain my income while ensuring I have someone to take care of my child while I work.

[Kepler]

Re: What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

No, Kep's on the right track here. It's not a person's position thing, but more of a societal thing. My financial and educational situation is better than most American's. But, I'm still a woman living in present times. So while I graduated debt free with a degree from a top engineering school, I still need to find a way to maintain my income while ensuring I have someone to take care of my child while I work.

Hmm... What's your income? I can send photos...

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

Biologically it’s easier to have the kids younger for sure, and def better on the grandparents.

But with the student debt being racked up, no paid maternity leave and no healthcare for many and crazy day care costs, I think many women are realizing they can try a career or have a baby early. If they want to pay their loans off they need to be working.

I had mine young. It wasn't easy and I had no idea what I got myself into. Retirement is going to be tough financially but hopefully I'll have grandkids eventually. We'll see.

[LynahFan]

Re: What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

I'm having mine old - little LynahFan #1 just turned 1, and we haven't even told our friends yet, but little LynahFan #2 is due in July, when I will be 47 (wife is....well, let's just say eternally young). We both have accomplished significant milestones in our respective careers, lived abroad, traveled, been there for our families, and have a nice start on our retirement egg. Still, I will be 65 when #2 heads off to college, so no early retirement for me, and we do talk about how limited our time will be with our kids and grandkids. I think there has been a certain amount of selfishness in our decision making, but we are also in a position to make sure that our kids have all the opportunities in the world, so all in all I do not have any regrets.

[Slap Shot]

Re: What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

Married at 30, first son at 35, 2nd son at 37 and will be out of the house when I'm 54. Works for me.

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: What The Fark 5: I Can't Believe This Happened!

I despise the word Xennial for some bizarre reason. I prefer Oregon Trail Generation. 😁

Same