Deciding Whether to Have Children

I used to groan when I'd say something like my parents
Why do you think you used to do that? I can see being upset about repeating parents' mistakes (for example, not having a healthy diet, when one of the parents has had a heart attack as a result of an unhealthy diet), but I don't understand why one would be upset upon realizing that one is being like one's parent when the parent was one's age...
 
Bill was well brought up in an era where parents could have control over their kids not like today.
In my case, my parents would not outright tell me what to do, but would make a convincing logical argument for me to do what they wanted me to do, and let me have choices: if you play with that stray dog, it might bite you and then we would have to go to a hospital where you will get the needle. I remember when I was four, I was walking with my mom, and I insisted that I didn't want to come with her. She told me that I was free to stay where I was, but that she really needed to make the trip. She left me in the middle of the park we were walking through. I caught up with her within 60 seconds. I am not sure what her backup plan was if I were not to follow her. When I asked for a new toy, I would be told that our budget is limited, and that I had a choice - a toy, or ice cream, but not both. I guess that explains the fact that when I grew up I specialized in a field that involves decision making. Perhaps my parents were lucky as I would go along with everything as long as the benefits and the costs were clearly explained to me.
 
Why do you think you used to do that? I can see being upset about repeating parents' mistakes (for example, not having a healthy diet, when one of the parents has had a heart attack as a result of an unhealthy diet), but I don't understand why one would be upset upon realizing that one is being like one's parent when the parent was one's age...
Let me see if I can clarify. I think this is a fairly common thing. For me it's not because I was like my parents, the groan was because I realized I was getting older.

Now I'm okay with aging. Already have hearing loss, might as well be old too. :ROFL:
 
@Rubenslash And your point is? Just because an input is from a depressed person doesn't mean it doesn't make sense. Also, what's bullshit is calling another perspective bullshit without adding anything substantial yourself.

@Sally_B, you obviously want to hear it's okay to have kids in spite of having T and H. Since your future kids don't have an input on this matter, it's going to be your decision to make. Personally, I grew up with wonderful parents who I love so much. But it doesn't change the way I see life in general. Your kids may love life, or maybe they won't. You'll find out.

Many ill people have kids, but T and H are different because they're isolating conditions, especially H when it's moderate to severe. So don't be a single parent. Someone else has to be there to help you raise your kids at times when you can't. Infants are noisy, they cry a lot. Toddlers are noisy too, as well as children. You won't be able to do stuff like horsing around with your kids, attending birthday parties with them, taking them to the cinema, chaperoning them to their first concerts, cheering them on in their games, etc. Or maybe you can depending on your severity, but not as regularly because you don't want to get worse or relapse. You have to be very careful not to get worse for the sake of your children once you have them. You owe it to them. Because if you get really bad, you'll end up in a dark place. People like @TheDanishGirl have posted about suicide on more than one occasion, in spite of having a child and feeling happy to have one. Of course, feeling suicidal is not the same as committing suicide, but if you end up struggling with mental issues on top of T and H, your children will have to put up with that, too.

I've mentioned here in other posts that I believe suicide is a personal choice, but I also believe people who brought kids into this world should stick it out because they are obliged to these other lives they introduced to this world. Children are a lifelong responsibility. You have them because you are ready in all ways -- financially, physically, mentally, emotionally -- and not to fill an empty space in your life, or to achieve a milestone, or to conform to societal expectations. You and your partner have to be at your best selves to raise well-adjusted and decent human beings.
 
I know there's another post here about coping with kids, but would you start a family if you already had severe tinnitus and hyperacusis?

Are there people here who have had babies while suffering from this and managed it? How did you cope?
My two boisterous kids are without question the best thing in my life. My second came about 6 months after the onset of tinnitus so it was a rough first year for me. But I don't regret having kids for a second. At this point a few years later, my hyperacusis/sound sensitivity is completely gone and I rarely hear my tinnitus.

-Mike
 
You won't be able to do stuff like horsing around with your kids, attending birthday parties with them, taking them to the cinema, chaperoning them to their first concerts, cheering them on in their games, etc. Or maybe you can depending on your severity, but not as regularly.
That sort of thing was never a problem for me. Sure, I pay more attention to protecting my hearing these days, but I didn't let T&H keep me from enjoying normal everyday type activities.

But sure, if a person is currently suffering from extreme anxiety, depression, having suicidal thoughts and basically wishes they were never born... then yeah, kids are probably a bad idea for them at that point.

-Mike
 
That sort of thing was never a problem for me. Sure, I pay more attention to protecting my hearing these days, but I didn't let T&H keep me from enjoying normal everyday type activities.

But sure, if a person is currently suffering from extreme anxiety, depression, having suicidal thoughts and basically wishes they were never born... then yeah, kids are probably a bad idea for them at that point.

-Mike

Really depends on the severity. I don't want to bear kids but I'm open to adopting. I really hate that irresponsible parents bore kids only to abandon them soon after.

I plan to adopt in my early 40s which my partner is fine with. That's still a long way off but if I still struggle with H by then, I won't adopt.
 
But with your own children, after the baby stage (which would definitely be tough and probably impossible without a very supportive partner) surely they would learn to keep their voices down at around age 4?
@Sally_B From my own experiences, I can tell you that many newborns have fairly quiet cries. Could barely hear my son cry, and as an infant and toddler he rarely cried. Today, my kids are both relatively quiet and that has a lot to do with how I am raising them. Well before turning four they understood that we do not scream and we use nice, quiet voices. This is before I even had tinnitus. My kids have been a wonderful distraction and support for me throughout all of this, too.

I wish you luck! If you have more questions, hopefully other parents on TT will have helpful advice!
 
Well for me growing up with a twin sister and older sister and brother life was never lonely.
I got married in 1987 and had two lovely sons.
My hubby has epilepsy and also both of my son's have it also but never stopped them doing what they love.
I developed sever asthma and life changing also Menieres and Sever tinnitus and that on top was a struggle.

I'm now 52 and son 22 and other is 30 and have two gorgeous grandsons whom light up my life and whom I love unconditionally and a proud granny.
I work with children and love my job.

I like to see things from both sides and understand not everyone wants children and nothing wrong with that as it's their choice.

I understand people with health issues and Tinnitus and Hyperacusis might not want to have children and their concerns coping too so I won't go into more detail.
We all have our own life to live and make choices that are right for us and there is no right or wrong in that and respect their decision.

Love glynis
 
Well for me growing up with a twin sister and older sister and brother life was never lonely.
I got married in 1987 and had two lovely sons.
My hubby has epilepsy and also both of my son's have it also but never stopped them doing what they love.
I developed sever asthma and life changing also Menieres and Sever tinnitus and that on top was a struggle.

I'm now 52 and son 22 and other is 30 and have two gorgeous grandsons whom light up my life and whom I love unconditionally and a proud granny.
I work with children and love my job.

I like to see things from both sides and understand not everyone wants children and nothing wrong with that as it's their choice.

I understand people with health issues and Tinnitus and Hyperacusis might not want to have children and their concerns coping too so I won't go into more detail.
We all have our own life to live and make choices that are right for us and there is no right or wrong in that and respect their decision.

Love glynis

I'm less concerned about T & H being impacted by kids, it's more my fear that I would not be a good father being anxious and depressed because of T and having concetration problems. How would I help my kids at school lessons if I can hardly cope at work? On one hand it would be grat to have kids as they certainly are a source of joy, but being a good parent with T is an extra chellange for sure.
 
On one hand it would be grat to have kids as they certainly are a source of joy, but being a good parent with T is an extra chellange for sure.
Absolutely! I think being a good parent is challenging for anyone dealing with chronic pain, stress, exhaustion, etc. I try to keep that in mind, that this added challenge is not that unlike challenges so many other parents face. It's not like being a parent is easy without tinnitus. There will always be something -- work stress, a late night up with a sick child, a sudden migraine, etc. -- to complicate life.

On the flip side, dealing with tinnitus gives me a different perspective and even an added dose of patience as a parent. And my kids have blown me away with their love and support throughout all of this. I can honestly say I'm still here because of them.
 
I know there's another post here about coping with kids, but would you start a family if you already had severe tinnitus and hyperacusis?

Are there people here who have had babies while suffering from this and managed it? How did you cope?
good question. We are planning to have kids soon. My T is not severe and even if it severe i would have kids. I am 43 and i am too behind in having kids and i would feel life is incomplete if we dont have kids.

In my humble opinion , T should not stop any one from having kids unless you are having complete break down and need time to recover before you want kids.
 
No kids. I'm gay. That said, I won't contribute to the overpopulation virus. Humanity is rather dissapointing. Why bother sustaining it? lol

Sarcasm or antinatalism?

In any case, I don't want kids either. I have heard people make the argument that not having kids is selfish, but I think the opposite can also be true.
 
"Hey threefirefour, why don't you (kids start screaming) have children (kids throw tantrum in supermarket) so you (baby starts crying) can be (baby shits itself) happy (kid breaks something) like us?"
 
Yep, there's good and bad things with kids.... but my opinion is that the good far outweighs the bad.
Each to their own, but when my 3 year old jumps into bed and cuddles up with me, or my 17 month old starts calling me "mum" as she comes up with her arms wide open for a hug, I'll never regret having kids.
 
Each to their own, but when my 3 year old jumps into bed and cuddles up with me, or my 17 month old starts calling me "mum" as she comes up with her arms wide open for a hug, I'll never regret having kids.
See, if that were to happen to me, I would be fantasizing about suicide or ways to make it look like the child had a horrible accident. I would pray and yearn for something to happen (e.g., for the kid to get sick and die) to allow me to have my life back. This would be the only thing I would be able to think about whenever I would see or hear that child. I shouldn't be having kids!
 
See, if that were to happen to me, I would be fantasizing about suicide or ways to make it look like the child had a horrible accident. I would pray and yearn for something to happen (e.g., for the kid to get sick and die) to allow me to have my life back. This would be the only thing I would be able to think about whenever I would see or hear that child. I shouldn't be having kids!

After reading what you wrote, I think you are a monster! What you said is horrendous! Heaven forbid you should EVER have a child !!! If ever you do.. I would pity that kid !!!! **shaking my head in disbelief about your comment above** (You might even have a latent tendency toward violence.)
 
After reading what you wrote, I think you are a monster!
You feel this way despite the fact that I said that one of the options I would have been contemplating is to commit suicide as a way to spare the child's life (both of us being alive at the same time for any significant length of time is not an option)?
 
I think you are a monster!
Did you mean to write "thought criminal"?

Remember, those are thoughts that are a result of a thought experiment (me imagining learning that I am a dad).

I am making sure that I don't have children, so I am not sure what your problem is (although I don't really want to find out).
 
but
Did you mean to write "thought criminal"?

Remember, those are thoughts that are a result of a thought experiment (me imagining learning that I am a dad).

I am making sure that I don't have children, so I am not sure what your problem is (although I don't really want to find out).

but still... even to express those thoughts are: sick !
 
See, if that were to happen to me, I would be fantasizing about suicide or ways to make it look like the child had a horrible accident. I would pray and yearn for something to happen (e.g., for the kid to get sick and die) to allow me to have my life back. This would be the only thing I would be able to think about whenever I would see or hear that child. I shouldn't be having kids!
Yes, probably should not have kids. Should also probably not share that you would fantasize about killing children.
 
I think it is important for people to be open and honest.

There can also be "self-censorship" whereby you needn't express everything you are thinking! uhhh... unless, of course, you wanted to add some element of shock value to your statement.
 
If I were to learn that I will be Having a child, I would NOT share those thoughts with anyone I know, to ensure that I keep my options open.
The option of eventually killing the hypothetical child?

But I am thinking of even now. Say something happens to a child in your neighborhood or community. Maybe I have watched too many crime dramas where the neighbor no one really knows ends up a suspect; then the police search his computer and voila - an online declaration that they fantasize about killing children.

I get not liking children. Not everyone has to like or want kids. But saying you would wish death on another human being . . . :cautious:
 
After reading what you wrote, I think you are a monster! What you said is horrendous! Heaven forbid you should EVER have a child !!! If ever you do.. I would pity that kid !!!! **shaking my head in disbelief about your comment above** (You might even have a latent tendency toward violence.)
And I think you're an ass.
 
There can also be "self-censorship" whereby you needn't express everything you are thinking! uhhh... unless, of course, you wanted to add some element of shock value to your statement.
I don't like small talk. I don't say anything, unless I have something that I consider to be interesting to say. Having said that, trust me, I have been practicing self-censorship both here and in my real life. I have been practicing it a Lot.
 
The option of eventually killing the hypothetical child?

But I am thinking of even now. Say something happens to a child in your neighborhood or community. Maybe I have watched too many crime dramas where the neighbor no one really knows ends up a suspect; then the police search his computer and voila - an online declaration that they fantasize about killing children.

I get not liking children. Not everyone has to like or want kids. But saying you would wish death on another human being . . . :cautious:

I think that's pretty unlikely. There's a lot of people who really don't like kids and don't do/want to do that. I would think people who are around kids more or like kids would be statistically more likely to be worse (rapists, parents who had enough, etc).

Wishing death on someone else (mostly momentarily) is pretty normal.
 

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