No children for atheist

[Mike Cl]

There's a lot of hidden costs that no one talks about, and logistical problems. My husband had a child when he was 19 with a woman he thought he was in love with. She drank a lot. 9 years later she's declared an unfit parent and he gets full custody of a child with mental, intellectual and emotional problems. That's the fine print no one ever tells you about the magic of parenthood. Sometimes you end up with kids that aren't material for the front page of Parents magazine. 1 in 14 children born in the U.S. has special needs (which granted, is anything from autism to deafness) and many people say they would love their children no matter what. Well, people SHOULD love their children no matter what, but most don't fully appreciate the financial, emotional, legal, and personal repercussions of that until they're elbow deep in it. It's absolutely not my step daughter's fault that she is the way she is, but that doesn't make it any easier.

I feel for you and your situation.  It is a hard road to travel.  And there really is no vacation from it, for children really are 'cradle to grave' kind of concern.  Care giving is really very draining--I hope you have taken steps to keep your health and energy levels up.  My heart goes out to you for what you are doing.

[Solitary]

I never really wanted to bring a child into such a God forsaken world, but when you go to Wedding reception and get drunk you think you can support the world, and my youngest son pays for it everyday in physical and mental pain---so much for all the prayers he received by his mother and her family.

[rudyss101]

I am raising my children(4 and 7) to decide for themselves.  My wife, who is a catholic, has agreed to this since she respects my atheistic views.  So far, my daughter has been using her critical thinking skills, i think.  A school mate tried to scare her about going to church and the consequences for not going with "the devil" will take you to "hell".  My daughters response was "The Devil doesn't exist, i have never seen him".  I felt pretty proud of that moment when she was explaining to me how it went down.  Point is, children are smarter than what we think they are.

[Munch]

I'm never going to have kids, both because I don't want to raise kids and second because unless theres something my boyfriend doesn't tell me, I'm pretty sure I can't get him pregnant.
My brother and his wife have two kids now, and I'm thankful both of them are being raised in an adjusted home with a father and mother who are progressive and not religious. When my 6 year old nephew is already asking questions about if santa is real or not, that shows me the kids got an analytical mind, which is great, because when god ever comes into it (thankfully the schools he goes to doesn't force prayer groups like my school did back in the 80s) I hope he asks the same questions, not told outright gods not real, but if asks if god is real, just told about what religion is and does.

[Mike Cl]

I am raising my children(4 and 7) to decide for themselves.  My wife, who is a catholic, has agreed to this since she respects my atheistic views.  So far, my daughter has been using her critical thinking skills, i think.  A school mate tried to scare her about going to church and the consequences for not going with "the devil" will take you to "hell".  My daughters response was "The Devil doesn't exist, i have never seen him".  I felt pretty proud of that moment when she was explaining to me how it went down.  Point is, children are smarter than what we think they are.

Hey--good for you and good for your daughter.  And for you Catholic wife as well.  I'm in my second marriage, and my current (and last) wife is a recovering Catholic--so they can change. :)