[Mamzelle]

I know many non-parent couples...and there's something ironic that I have observed when I am inclined to envy their state of freedom.

Childlessness is a kind of vaccuum, and they often make children of pets or friends or some substitute...and tend to anguish or argue over that substitute like couples who argue over their children. They get fussy about housekeeping or lawn care to the point of OCD.

The human being has quite the capacity to frustrate himself, no matter how many freedoms he seems to have.

[TET1968]

My significant other has three grown children (2 in the process of their second divorce) and 4 grand children ( 2 will need help all their lives).

I don't have any children.
I have a 4 & 1/2 pound Yorkie.
She's all I can handle.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

Childlessness is a kind of vaccuum, and they often make children of pets or friends or some substitute...and tend to anguish or argue over that substitute like couples who argue over their children.

Let's see... I can think of 5 people I know who are well into adulthood without children, and a couple who only had one daughter and will never had grandchildren.

All 5 of the people with no children have dogs. One of them also has 10 cats. I would describe 2 of them as lonely people. The other 3 keep pretty busy with social stuff.

And the couple with only one daughter, who will never have any grandchildren, is lonely as well.

I also know a couple with at least a dozen grandkids, most of whom seem to be a delight. Of course, I also know a lady with a son she would probably be better off without. A lot of it is in how you raise 'em.

[guinnessman]

I have to admit, that was the situation with my wife and I.

We were married for seven years without being able to have kids. Three years into our marriage, we got a dog, and yes, we starting treating him like a child. After seven years of trying, we finally made the decision to adopt.

Today, we have three beautiful children, and our dog, who's now ten years old, is just a dog.

Another thing: When we were childless, it seemed as if time stood still for us. Now, we see how time progresses as our children get older.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

Good point! Now that I think about it, childless couples can be an anal bunch. The woman across the street is anal about anyone on her lawn! I remember when my son was five, he went over to retrieve our young dog, who just got finished chasing a rabbit over there. She called me up, almost to the point of yelling, that I should know better than to let my kid in her yard! Needless to say we are not on speaking terms and haven't been for years and I don't want to tell you what the kids call her!