Whoops. Sorry, I didn't realize you were being facetious. Sometimes the written language has weaknesses....

: ) Great pun!

That Walter Sickert, a student of James Whistler, was responsible for the Ripper killings as well as several in the U.S. A lot of people, some here, totally disagree.

You are NOT being bad, VA. By not allowing your son to participate in a group that promotes hate, you also keep your money from going to them. Dues and fundraising is what keeps all those organizations in existence. And, as has already been said in other responses, it isn't 'one small facet,' it is a pervasive…

You know who needs to be investigated? The U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops, who are rapidly becoming an extremist group within Catholicism. I wish average Catholics could do something to get rid of them.

I know I'm going to get shit for this, but I really like (if like is the right word) Patricia Cornwell's theory about JTR.

Oh great.... *sigh*

Thank you for sharing, too. I agree, there are benefits to not having children (just like there are benefits to having children. I'm not denigrating either choice). I think, in my case, it is also a symbol, to an extent, of all the things that didn't happen in my life that I fully expected to happen. As you said…

I assume that it it is because basically it is all about breast feeding (which I think is cool) taken to the next level (which I have mixed feelings about), which doesn't really even include pumping.

It is possible, it is just amazing how many people don't want to see other ways of being happy.

From what I understand, it is the good parents who feel that way. : )

If that isn't what you meant, that is great, but it is NOT obvious that that isn't what you meant, at least not to me. Sorry.

Good lord! Tell them to get a family counselor. The school system is NOT their personal counselors.

I would bet that every woman who is a mother experienced ambivalence, indecision, and/or fear. Every pregnant woman I've ever met has admitted to it.

No career or child here, either. I'm so tired of the question litany when meeting new people: "So, do you have kids? A degree? A career? Pets then?" (In increasing desperation when I answer 'no' to each of those.) *sigh*

Thank you so much!

Yes! I'm not doing anything more fulfilling than doing my best to live within my economic means (which means nothing fancy). I don't do ANYTHING amazing, and certainly not because I don't have children.

That is a beautiful sentiment.

Would you be comfortable saying something along the lines of "I don't know how you are feeling, and I don't want to assume anything. I don't want you to feel like I pity you, but I don't want you to feel that I am insensitive. Would you like to talk about it?" I don't feel like I can talk to my friends with…

Thank you, catness_. I sincerely appreciate any parent who recognizes the selfish aspects of parenthood as well as the unselfish ones. It makes me think that you are, most likely, an extremely good parent, who recognizes complexity and is thorough in teaching that to their children. I wish that all parents were as…