🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <DqFq3z.BDB@world.std.com>,
   jcooley@world.std.com (John Cooley) wrote:
>> 
>>          - 70% said they wouldn't have had kids if they could do it again.
>
>...I've more than once got to hear from more than one parent about
>how their kids were the best thing that ever happened to them, again, and
>again, and again, and again.  That's why I was surprized to see this 70%
>figure.  Then I realized that it could be that most parents would never want
>to admit publically that they wished they hadn't have had kids.  It sort
>of reflects poorly on them and is bound to draw some suspicious looks...
>
 
John,

Since you started this thread, I'll address this to you.  (I also figure that 
ASIC designers can't be all bad :-) ).  There are also some very annoying 
comments in other notes in this thread -- comments that are just as well 
ignored -- from obviously intelligent people who nonetheless no nothing of 
unselfish love, responsibility and commitment.  I've gone through life holding 
tolerance as a prime obligation, but I've reached a point where my tolerance 
for rubbish is quite low.

It's really very simple, in a complicated sort of way :-).  There are all 
sorts of people in this world, living under a multitude of different 
conditions.  Not all of them should have children.  It takes more energy, 
devotion, and selflessness to raise ("raise" not "have") children than I ever 
could have imagined.  I can understand many people resenting that parts of 
their lives are defined by their parenthood, but that's the way it is.  The 
person who originated the Peace Corps slogan must have been a parent:  "It's 
the hardest job you'll ever love".

Parents complain.  I complain.  We're entitled.  But you don't waste a 
lifetime trying to define love; you go out and experience it, if you've got 
the right stuff.

Tony