I figured out way early, that I was not cut out for the stress of kids, so I didn't have any and refused to marry anyone that already had them, at least when I was young. Now, at my age, I am fine with dating women with kids, since they will require nothing from me, except for my friendship and maybe some of my time, here and there, as far as grandkids. Still happy with my decision, as in retrospect, there was not only the stress issue, but I was always too poor to afford kids, as well.

Kids after 18 are stranded assets. You wasted your time and money and now you have to spend still more to deal with your history...

A couple is wondering whether to get a dog or have kids. Do we want to ruin the carpet or our lives?

I get this. I have 2 grown daughters myself but I remember a girlfriend once telling me she "wanted so badly to bear my child." In movies you see people in love and it is a given that they want to "raise children." The reality is that this is a big responsibility that changes your entire life.