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My wife and I are childless, by choice, although that could change. What I don't need is to be lumped into some "interest group" because of it. No special favors, thank you, but teaching your children proper public behavior is certainly appreciated. People that get worked up on either side of this issue (child v. childless) have some problems they need to get over, IMHO.

Well said.

I always wanted a big family but didn't meet my husband until I was in my late 30s. (He's in his 40s.) We're both committed Christians and neither of us had been previously married.

We decided before we were married that we would not have children. The main reason being that we just couldn't see ourselves at 60s with teenagers and in our 70s with college age young adults.

Between the two of us we have 9 nieces and nephews ranging from 1 month old to 14 years. We have set up education funds for each of them and contribute monthly with the intent of fully funding their educations ourselves. Nothing would give us more pleasure.

We travel extensively and plan to take each of them with us to Europe the summer that they turn 16. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to taking the first one next year for two weeks in London and Paris. I can't wait to visit the great museums and open up a whole new world of possibilities for her.

I adore my husband and had we met and married younger then things would probably be different. But I would rather spend the rest of my live devoting myself to my husband and his happiness than doing anything else I can think of.

I agree about the public behavior part, but childless couples need to also realize that everything can not be planned to the letter with children. Children puke, children throw, children do all sorts of things to thier parents' embarressment that they did not intend. Please remember that in many cases, it's not that people haven't taught thier children good behavior, but that children are still learning self control and won't always adhere to those rules ie they are being children. Try and remember, you were a child once too.

I think childless couples should stop griping about things like time off and stuff too. Let's face it, for your inconveniences now, it will be those same children who will be "inconvenienced" by funding your care when you are elderly so it all equals out in the end.